One aspect of long-term solo-travel that is often overlooked by many people is that homesickness is something that is common, and being able to deal with that is vital to successfully handling life as a solo traveler. There are plenty of different reasons that this will happen, but as humans we are naturally creatures that enjoy having a routine and that is often something that is broken when it comes to the constant changes that come with travel.
Being thrust into the unfamiliar can also trigger such feelings, and learning to embrace and overcome those feelings is very important to enjoying your time traveling around the world.
The Natural Rhythm Of Solo Travel
One of the first things to understand before you embark on your trip is that it isn't going to be all ideal, and that solo travel does throw up some interesting and challenging situations, and often some unexpected emotions too. Because of the regular rhythm of movement that comes with travel, you are constantly given new experiences, new tastes to try and different cultural experiences to enjoy. The counter side to this particular aspect of travel is that the constant changes can leave you feeling as though you lack steadiness and privacy, or that there is no routine in your life, which is what will often trigger those first feelings of homesickness.
Making Time To Relax And Look After Yourself
A good approach that you can take is to make sure that you aren't doing challenging activities every day, and that you put time aside to simply relax, unwind and to be by yourself, rather than constantly joining the crowds at tourist sites.
If you are staying in hostels throughout the journey, the loss of privacy can also be an issue, so it may be worth booking a night or two in a private room every few weeks, so that you can truly unwind and get away from the constant interaction. Homesickness will often strike during periods when you are very busy or are seeing new things every day, so remember to give yourself the opportunity to relax.
Staying In Touch With Friends And Family
Communication is a vital part of being able to travel long term, and keeping in touch with friends and family at home is very important. Whether you make sure you have the equipment for a regular Skype call, use a cell phone to call home or even communicate electronically, having these bridges to keep you connected with those at home is very important. You may also want to consider starting a travel blog as a way to document your journey and to keep those at home up to date with your adventure, as the act of writing can help you to reflect upon your journey as well as updating your friends and family with your latest news.
Making New Friends To Socialize With
While setting out on a solo trip is a great adventure, you don't have to be constantly traveling solo, and making new friends to socialize and to explore with can provide a respite from feelings of homesickness. Travel can take away the feeling of belonging that we have in our home areas, but making a new group of friends in a new destination can help you to feel a little more at home there. This is just one new way in which travel can offer us new experiences.
Planning To Deal With The Emotions As You Travel
Having an idea of what to do if feelings of homesickness do surface can also be useful, and taking things with you that will help to soothe those feelings and to help you relax will be useful. Having an mp3 player with your favorite music can be useful, while also having a device that allows you to send and receive emails such as a tablet computer can also be useful. When it comes to relaxing as you travel, be prepared to have a little flexibility in your schedule so that you don't have to spend every day seeing the sights and trying new activities, and spending a day to recharge your batteries can really help you to keep going and enjoying your trip.