Travelling is considered one of the escape routes from a hectic life, but it can be overwhelming for introverts. While traveling, you are bound to come across several people; if it makes you uncomfortable or increases your social anxiety, it’s better to plan and take care beforehand. Although unplanned traveling is a great way to explore a destination, you never know you might bump into something amazing, while for introverts, few things need to be kept in mind. Even if you love exploring new cultures, destinations being an introvert, you may also feel low while meeting new people. Therefore, these tips will help you.
Are you an introvert and thinking of traveling? Feeling scared? Relax! We have created a list of few tips for you to travel smoothly:
- Book private rooms instead of the hostel: Hostel rooms require constant interactions with unknown people. At the same time, it is the best way to make new friends but can be uncomfortable for introverts. You wouldn’t want to spend your vacation being conscious or uncomfortable. Therefore, it’s wise to book private rooms for vacation considering privacy.
- Schedule your me-time into your travel schedule: if you are traveling with a group and unable to cancel, it’s best to cut down some activities to calm your social anxiety. Sometimes it’s okay to stay far away from attention and social groups to maintain your privacy and social stimuli. Extracting some me-time will help you cope up with group travels.
- Easier to travel locally than significant landmarks: introverts love observing, so if you’re looking for little escape, plan local destinations. Big landmarks might have more crowds than local destinations. Therefore, Don’t overwhelm yourself and start with local travel. If you want to be sure, conduct a little research on when and where you can visit. Sometimes simple walking in a local market or park can help you observe people and detox your hectic life.
- Carry your journal: As Helgoe says, introverts like to process and reflect on their surroundings. It often happens that when we travel after a significant time, all overwhelming feelings hound over us at first. So, the best way to deal with such anxiety issues is to write a journal. Travel across your destination, spend some time in a coffee shop, have coffee, and pour all your thoughts into your journal. Writing a journal is excellent therapy; traveling and journaling your thoughts can help you feel light.
- Books, headphones can help you stay with yourself: It’s getting difficult to ignore when someone tries to talk to you. While traveling, you are bound to come across people, and it’s okay if you don’t want to interact, but it’s not okay to be rude. These situations are most likely encountered during graveling through train, bus, or airplane. Therefore, to avoid such a situation, books and headphones are your go-to solution. You can just smile and be polite and go back to your book or listen to your songs. However, if they keep talking and you feel comfortable, it’s best to tell them right away.
- Go somewhere where you don’t know anyone: Although it’s fun to visit places near your family or friends, it’s a real adventure to visit unknown places. Introverts love wilderness and nature. So, pack your bags and travel to explore some unknown place.
- Plan how you will spend your evenings: During the Evening solo, introverted travelers tend to get lonely after day adventure activities are over. Therefore, it’s good to plan your evenings. There are several ways where you can spend your evening time to avoid anxiety and loneliness. If you had a long day, you could try for some cozy coffee shop and books, or you can go for a walk down the street, or if you don’t want to go out, then listen to music and dance your hearts out. For introverts, it’s always best to plan.
- Reviews: introvert or not, reviews before booking your accommodation are a must. Check whether the staff is friendly or not. You can talk to the receptionist about any information if they are friendly and approachable. As a solo traveler, it’s good to ask staff about local places, people, and tips for traveling. When you know a little bit about the city, it’s a great way to navigate quickly. However, Google is always at your service.
- Lowkey tours are a great option: Although it’s believed that introverts don’t want to share their experience, guess what? Truth is quite the opposite. Introverts like to share their experience; they just find it difficult to start a conversation. While traveling solo can be great, booking low-key tours with guides is a way to start small conversations with travel partners. However, politely saying no is always an option, but sometimes it’s good to have someone you can talk about anything yet nothing. However, it’s much safer to book a guide for tours like hiking or climbing, but if you are too antisocial or high on anxiety, well! It’s good for you; they would be too exhausted with hiking to start a conversation.
- Learn yoga and breathing technique: As basic or cliche it may sound, but social anxiety can be relieved by yoga and breathing techniques. Learn before you travel; if you feel uncomfortable, they are a great way to recover. Breath in and breath out or count backward if you feel low meeting new people.
