I’m penning this weblog submit to you from above the clouds. I’ve simply left Austria after a 5 day solo journey by way of Graz, Salzburg and Innsbruck. Every metropolis was completely distinctive and I can’t wait to let you know about the entire expertise (extra weblog posts to return). A few of you could already know that I used to be fairly apprehensive about taking a solo journey. A lot in order that I practically turned down the chance all collectively. It form of pains me to confess that however it’s true. So I’m sitting on this aircraft with a slight sense of pleasure that I made a decision to push myself out of my consolation zone and check out one thing new.
So after I look again on this week in years to return, the factor that would be the most memorable is that it was the primary solo journey I ever took. As a method to replicate on the expertise I’ve simply had, I’m going to share some private issues I learnt on my first solo journey.
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That I used to be in a position to observe a lot extra
Once I journey as a pair or in a gaggle, there’s at all times fixed dialog. It’s both easy-flowing chit-chat with somebody I do know nicely, or it’s getting-to-know-you chat with folks I’ve simply met. In Austria it was totally different. As a substitute of being engrossed in a dialog with somebody, I used to be in a position to go searching me. I noticed issues. I people-watched. I absorbed each component of the locations I used to be in. In brief, I gave my undivided consideration to locations instead of individuals.
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That I received speaking to a lot extra locals and different vacationers
It appears that evidently as a solo traveller you’re instantly extra approachable than travellers in a gaggle. This week I’ve had fascinating conversations with taxi drivers, waiters, receptionists and fellow vacationers. Folks appear to need to know your story whenever you’re travelling alone, and as a Journey Blogger I suppose I’ve fairly an fascinating story to inform. I might have been a lot much less more likely to get speaking to these folks if I used to be already in firm. By chatting to those folks on my journey, I didn’t really feel alone in any respect.
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That I might be completely egocentric
This week I used to be in a position to be completely egocentric, in a great way. I made a decision what time I wakened, what my plan was for the day and the place to eat. If my ft damage from strolling, I simply stopped and sat for some time. I adopted my nostril and allowed myself to get misplaced. I didn’t must compromise or attempt to please anybody else. This felt superb however I can think about for somebody with a whole lot of restrictions and duties of their life, it could in all probability really feel much more superb.
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That I felt actually relaxed
One factor I hate in life is speeding and feeling rushed by others. When I’m travelling in a giant group, I can typically really feel pressured about not with the ability to sustain with a gaggle or follow an itinerary (in all probability as a result of I need to be off taking countless photographs someplace). I felt extremely relaxed throughout my week in Austria and though I used to be always out and about exploring, there was no stress.
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That I used to be extra productive in comparison with different journeys
I wished to doc the entire expertise on social media and make it really feel like my viewers was proper there with me. As a result of I used to be alone, I used to be in a position to actually deal with documenting my journey, significantly on Instagram tales. The standard of my actual time content material was undoubtedly significantly better because of being alone. I additionally had on a regular basis on the earth to deal with pictures and I even had time within the evenings to reply my emails. Because of being alone, I used to be rather more productive.
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That getting photographs of me was extra of a problem
Though I had on a regular basis I wanted to take photographs, it was undoubtedly extra of a problem getting photographs with me in them. One of many causes I used to be apprehensive about doing a solo running a blog journey was as a result of I used to be anxious I wouldn’t get sufficient good content material. I wish to function in a few of my photographs and I at all times have a really particular imaginative and prescient of how I would like these photographs to be shot. So even when I ask somebody on the road to take a fast photograph of me, it’s unlikely it would match my imaginative and prescient. I form of knew that will occur so I introduced a versatile tripod with me, which may connect to something (timber, lampposts, you title it). My DMC G6 Panasonic Lumix additionally has a perform the place I can management the shutter from my cellphone, so I used to be in a position to get a number of pictures (just like the one on the prime of this submit).
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That eating alone is definitely fairly good
I feel consuming alone is without doubt one of the principal issues which will put folks off solo journey. I’ve by no means had an issue with sitting in cafes and eating places alone (I work from cafes on a regular basis), so this wasn’t such a biggie for me. It was even a much less of a biggie in Austria as a result of I used to be in a brand new surroundings and didn’t know anybody round me. So why ought to I care what they assume? Having fun with an incredible meal by yourself with a glass of wine looks like an excellent better indulgence than sharing it with associates. Plus in case you’re in a scenic spot, you’ll be able to actually take in the environment.
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That it’s an excellent better sense of freedom than travelling in firm
Folks like to journey for the journey, the liberty and the escapism from day by day life. Travelling alone allowed me to really feel an excellent better sense of freedom that I’m used to, which was essentially the most surprising a part of this entire solo journey expertise. I can’t faux I didn’t want my boyfriend was there with me after I reached the highest of the Nordkette mountain or watched the pink sundown over Salzburg, however these at the moment are my very own distinctive recollections. With no person else to please and with time on my facet, it was in all probability the closest I’ve come to being with out a care on the earth.
If you happen to’re pondering of planning a solo journey however have apprehensions like I did, I hope this weblog submit evokes you to take the leap!
What did you consider my first solo journey reflections? Do you like to take solo journeys or is it one thing you want to expertise? I might love to listen to your ideas on solo journey so please depart me a remark within the field under! Jess x
My journey to Austria was a part of the #UncoverAustria marketing campaign with Go to Austria