Traveling alone can be a rewarding experience, but it does come with its own set of difficulties. Some things that wouldn’t get a second thought when your traveling with a friend become things to consider when you’re alone in a new place. I’ve listed some problems that solo travelers will come across and how to easily fix them so you aren’t caught up on them when they happen. Here are the worst parts about solo travel and how I think you can fix them:

Problems You’ll Have When Traveling Alone & How I Handle It:

1. It is Difficult to Take Your Own Photos When You Travel Alone.

The biggest question I get as a solo traveler from other women is, “how do I take photos of myself while traveling?” and that’s great concern! Initially I was so scared to bring out my camera, ask a stranger or even prepare for the photo that I missed all of the photo opportunities while on the road. Since then I’ve purchased a few accessories so that I can take better photos of myself and you should too.

Get a Tripod

The tripod I currently own and carry in my bag is a Joby tripod. I picked this type of tripod over a standard tripod because of the versatility it allows me. As someone who is always on the go I needed something compact, but I also needed something strong enough to hold the weight of my DSLR. This is great for me because I record in a variety of situations, but this might not be ideal for everyone else.

If you’re photographing landscapes or open areas, a standard adjustable tripod would be best. Although it is a little bit bigger than the tripod I carry, it allows you to record yourself regardless of your surroundings and that may be more important to you. Definitely reflect on the type of photography you will be doing before purchasing the tripod so it works with your style.

Get a Drone

This is the more expensive option, but it calls for having a drone. Drones have come along way and with the price point, I would hope so! There are so many features now that allow you to record yourself without having to focus on handling the drone and that might be a better option for you.

Selfie sticks still work if you’re interested in carrying one around. I basically use my tripod as a glorified selfie stick, but if you aren’t carrying around a big camera like I am, a selfie stick may actually be a little bit better.

Ask a Stranger

If you don’t want to buy any accessories you can always ask someone to take your photo, but that always comes with a liability. Best case scenario is that a perfect stranger takes your photo and give you back your phone/camera, worst case scenario is you hand your phone to a thief and they run while you prepare your pose.

2. You Can Not Leave Bags During Restroom Breaks When You Travel Alone.

The second common issue I hear among solo travelers is handling restroom breaks while eating alone. You walk into a restaurant and you’re seated at a table, but since you are alone you aren’t sure when to use the restroom. Normally when you’re traveling in a group you don’t have to give an extra thought to excuse yourself, but when you travel alone your table will be unattended when you leave. Here are some tips on how to handle your things while eating alone:

Bring a Book

Bringing a book has saved me from so many weird situations. It isn’t just a great way to pass time when you’re between other tasks, but also a great placeholder to tell you’re waiter you didn’t leave. Having a spare book and leaving it on the table while you excuse yourself to the restroom lets everyone know that someone is currently occupying the space although they aren’t there right now.

Use Restroom Beforehand/After

I would not recommend leaving your only bag, or purse, at a restaurant table because anyone can pick it up. If you’re worried about taking it with you though, I recommend purchasing a bag ring so you can hang your purse up and it doesn’t need to touch any soiled surfaces. A bag ring allows your bag to stay lifted from the ground and in your field of view.

Use a Crossbody Bag on Day Trips

If you’re carrying so many bags that you can’t actually maneuver it during your daily activities, it’s time to purchase a smaller bag. Buying a small cross body bag for daytime activities allows you to carry what’s important and keep it close to you.

3. Planning Everything Yourself & Also Planning a Plan B Yourself

The best part about traveling alone is you get to do whatever you want, the worst part about traveling alone is you have to plan every step. The third common issue I hear among solo travelers is the anxiety that may form while planning a whole day in advance. Sometimes we’re worried about so many details and comparing rates, that small tasks that should be completed get forgotten. Those tasks feel a lot bigger on travel days than they do on planning days. Here are my tips for planning travel:

Using a Planner App Like Notion

I plan everything in the Notion app and I recommend it to all of my friends and everyone I meet. I was definitely a planner type of girl growing up, I would buy a year-long planner and I would carry it around with me and try my best to keep up with it. Even though I wrote things down and I clipped any important papers inside of it, I always felt like something was missing – that’s when I found Notion.

Notion allows you to plan your life, plan your trip, plan a weekend or just make a simple to do list. This app is completely free (and I’m not sponsored by it) and allows you to write anything you want, add any files you use and embed anything you need. With this app I’ll plan my day-to-day activities and make sure to include attaching reservations and receipts so that I don’t have to go digging in my email when I’m trying to look for those tickets.

Having a Rainy Day Fund

One of the ways I started my rainy day fund was with investing in stocks. When Robinhood started they’re referral program, I took advantage of the opportunity & shared my link with a friend. After a year of forgetting about the free stock I received, I was surprised when my free investment ended up tripling in value. If I wanted to I’m able to withdraw the money earned and use it for whatever I want, but I keep it in my portfolio so I can keep earning money. Of course this is a waiting game, but it’s a great thing to jump when this opportunity is free. If you’re interested in picking a free stock & beginning your investment journey, use my referral link here so we both win.

4. No One to Share the Moment With Because You’re Alone.

Another real issue that solo travelers deal with is loneliness while on the road. You see something beautiful, something that amazes you, something that you’ve never seen before and you just want share it with someone, but there isn’t anyone to share it with. There’s a difference between being alone and feeling lonely and sometimes when you are alone, you get a little taste of loneliness. It isn’t a forever feeling, sometimes it passes just as quick as it arrives, but it is something that we all deal with. Here are some ways to share the moment:

Share the Moment With People There

Share the moment with the people around you! If something is funny, laugh. If someone makes you feel good, thank them for it. I think it’s a beautiful thing when strangers exchange smiles and laughs and you should experience it as well.

Share Your Story with Other Travelers

If you don’t have anyone around you that you can share it with, you can always reach out to other travelers as well. I’m in a few women only travel groups and a few coed travel groups and they all have their own vibes. Finding a travel group that represents you and your preferred mode of travel will allow you to surround yourself with like-minded individuals that experience life similarly to you.

Travel Planning Solo Travel