I think a lot of people look at me and think I was born fearless. With my frequent solo travels, constant need for spontaneity, and love for destinations that push & challenge, it’s an easy thing to misconstrue. But I actually started out life pretty dang shy, reserved, and very very nervous.

I was too shy to ask my teacher to go to the bathroom in kindergarten.

I bit my nails neurotically until I was about 12 (I also ate my hair as a nervous habit at one point in time).

I used to have panic attacks in my teen and college years.

And my social anxiety went thru the roof any time I had to attend a networking event.

When I was little, my dad told me that 89% of things you worry about don’t happen - in an effort to try to stop my incessant worrying by providing a bit of logic. But I took that stat and decided to instead worry about everything to avoid bad things happening!

So needless to say, it’s been a journey haha. Me at 5, 10, 15....no one would have guessed that I became the person I am today!

My mom has told my story to many worried parents of younger shy kids in hopes that it would assuage their concerns for their little ones. If my daughter - who was SUPER SHY - can grow into herself, so can yours.

And so can YOU!

And while this article is about finding your confidence TO travel, it’s actually a two way street in my ways. Travel helped me come out of my shell 100%. It taught me to be comfortable walking up to strangers and starting a conversation, to trust myself & my abilities even in the face of the unknown, and to rest easy knowing that things have a way of working themselves out.

So let’s get into it. Here are my top tips on how to find the confidence in yourself to travel (especially solo!)

#1 Start Small

Instead of deciding to fly halfway around the globe by yourself on a massive multi-month adventure, start small. Building confidence is a process and you can’t expect to reprogram your mind overnight. What I recommend is starting off by booking a short, nearby adventure where you can dip your toes into travel and prepare yourself for a bigger ball game down the road.

Think local adventures, road trips, long weekend jaunts, etc. These will all help you get used to the idea of traveling, without going too far from home or biting off too big of a challenge right off the bat.

#2 Practice Affirmations

It’s important when you’re working on building your confidence to remind yourself of all you are capable of. But wait - let’s back up - in case you need a reminder:

Affirmations are positive statements that can help you to challenge and overcome self-sabotaging and negative thoughts. When you repeat them often, and believe in them, you can start to make positive changes.

Telling yourself YOU ARE BRAVE. YOU ARE CONFIDENT. YOU GOT THIS. Helps to rewire your brain so that eventually you actually do believe those things and they become a part of who you are and how you function in the world. And these are exactly the sort of exercises you should start practicing to get ready for travel. Whatever you need to hear, make a practice of repeating it to yourself.

#3 Do Your Research

When you’re just starting out, travel can seem scary.

What if you get on the train the wrong direction and get super lost! Or what if you can’t figure out what to order off the menu in a foreign country?!

Once you’re an experienced traveler, things will come more easily and you can be spontaneous. But for those just starting out, don’t put that kind of pressure on yourselves! Do ample research and book the majority of your plans and accommodations ahead of time.

Also make sure to figure out transportation methods, download offline maps, research local cuisine that meets your dietary needs, and anything else you need to feel secure. This will eliminate feeling anxious in the moment and scrambling to try to make a plan.

What we want to do is take as much pressure off you in the moment as possible. This isn’t to say that nothing will ever go wrong (it definitely will) but at least you’re setting yourself up for as smooth an experience as possible.

#4 Make Sure Your Cell Phone WORKS

A lot of people like to disconnect from their life at home when they travel - and one of the main ways they do so, is by not having a cellular plan that allows them to be always available. However, that can backfire when you’re trying to feel safe and secure in a new destination.

If you’re someone (like me) who has a hard time disconnecting, try removing your mail app (and social media if that’s a problem for you), BUT KEEP your phone connected and powered up.

Before you leave, understand what international plans your phone company offers and set one up. Or if you have an unlocked phone, make a plan to get a SIM card at the airport - most international destinations sell SIM cards at the airport and are much more affordable than international data through your home carrier.

Just double check what time you land since SIM card booths typically aren’t open late at night or super early AM. But even if you do arrive outside of normal business operating hours, SIM cards can also be found at phone company stores, convenient stores, etc.

Again, just do your research so you know what SIM cards have best reception AND where you can buy. Knowing you can pull up GPS, call a parent, find a doctors office, etc. will allow you peace of mind when traveling.

#5 Find a Local Contact

Before you leave, make sure to share your travel plans with friends and family. As this will allow them time to connect you with anyone in their circle who may live in the destination you are headed to.

I’m always surprised by how often friends will mention they know someone who lives in x, when I’m departing for that same location. Ask your friend if they feel comfortable introducing you in case you need anything, most of the time there are thrilled to make the connection.

And you may not need the local contact at all, but it’s just nice to know you have that person in your phone book should you need them. So much of confidence is just feeling prepared honestly. And the more people you have in your corner that you can call in case of trouble, the more prepared you will feel.

#6 Plan a Walking Tour for Your First Day

One thing I always recommend to newbie travelers is to plan a walking tour for their first day in a new city. This will allow you to get your bearings, learn your way around a bit, and get a great intoduction to the destination you’re in.

It’s also a great way to meet new friends - both fellow travelers and local guides. Make sure to talk to your guides - get their recommendations and use them as a resource to ask questions to. If you unsure where to make a reservation for dinner or how to get to a certain local hotspot, ASK. One of my favorite things to ask locals about are what their top recommends are for a newcomer in their city. It’s simple, but it will give you all the info you need!

Where do you find walking tours, you ask? Many cities actually have free walking tours where the guides work on tips. So you pay what you can - but I often recommend at least $10-20usd depending on the length and how good the tour was. Guides gotta make a living too!!

#7 Expect and Accept That Things May Go Wrong

As a perfectionist and heavy planner, this is a big one for me - and probably the hardest item for me to grapple with on this list. When you’re traveling things do - and inevitably will - go wrong. Other countries don’t always run as efficiently as back home, and the sooner you can accept this and learn to just go with the flow, the happier you will be when you travel.

I used to set all these expectations for how my days would run when I arrived in a new destination, and over time….I’ve realized that it’s great to make plans, but it’s also great to throw the planner out the window. Sometimes the real magic happens when you least expect. Sometimes the real adventure starts when your comfort zone ends. I know that’s cheesy, but it’s true.

Understand that shit happens, mourn for what was supposed to happen briefly if you need to, and then move on. When you release yourself from expectations you will enjoy yourself 100% more. I guarantee it!

Well I hope these tips were useful and aid you in your journey to discovering your own travel confidence!! Share in the comments below where YOU are with your travel confidence. And if this article spoke to you, please share with me. I love to hear from you guys <3.

xoxo

Lauren

How to Find Your Travel Confidence