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<\/p>\nAs people embark on their solo travel journey, I like to believe that most start out the same way I did: plan, plan, plan. I researched everything, from ferry times to train seats, activities available on each day, nearby supermarkets, and cute cafes. In a way, doing this took away some of the magic when I first arrived in a place. I already knew everything around me; the hidden alleys, shortcuts, and what bars had patios with picture-perfect views. Embracing spontaneity can provide flexibility and freedom for solo travellers (and make your trip just that little bit more magical.) Here’s how.<\/p>\n
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As I was travelling solo, I knew I needed some <\/em>structure in my day to day. I knew that if I didn\u2019t have a plan, I\u2019d just sit around and get overwhelmed with all of the things to do. Planning everything out gave me a sense of control. I knew what to expect in my accommodation, I knew what could keep me occupied, and I had an end to when I was staying in a specific destination.<\/p>\n But not everything goes to plan. Some places are closed, expensive, or just not as expected. Despite each trip being meticulously organised in a way where I couldn\u2019t be let down, there were some instances where I did. I had set my hopes so high for specific experiences so that when they didn\u2019t work out, I felt a sense of disappointment. To make it even worse, I didn\u2019t have a backup plan, and I didn\u2019t feel comfortable or confident enough in myself to just go for a stroll.<\/p>\n As I continued to travel, though, I became a little less rigid. I grew more comfortable in my own skin and accustomed to travelling on my own. I didn\u2019t need to look up every aesthetically-pleasing cafe or bar with high reviews at each destination. I knew that being more relaxed in solo travel would come with experience, but for me, there were two<\/strong> specific experiences that made me change my entire outlook on travel.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The first was when I went to Milan<\/a>. I was only there for two nights before I was scheduled to head to Greece for a few weeks. I didn\u2019t expect anything from Milan, really; I just wanted to check out the sights and enjoy a few good coffees. However, the first night was so far beyond my expectations. During dinner at the hostel, a few other solo travellers, who were absolutely lovely, approached me. After the drinks started flowing and the karaoke started, it quickly became one of the best nights I\u2019d had in a while.<\/p>\n The people I met were staying for a few days longer than me and decided to meet up in Croatia<\/a> later in the week. When I got the invite, my initial response was, \u201cYes! Definitely!\u201d Of course, I wanted to go to Croatia with these people. For the first time in a long time, I found people that I genuinely clicked with and would love the opportunity to see more of Europe with them. However, I couldn\u2019t \u2014 I had other plans. I quickly followed up with a disappointed \u201cBut I can\u2019t, I have a flight to catch.\u201d My trip to Greece was planned and booked, and since I never cancelled anything in the past, my hostel was non-refundable.<\/p>\n I told myself that it was fine; this is what solo travel is all about. Meeting cool people and then moving on to the next destination. I told myself that having FOMO (fear of missing out) was a natural response and that I\u2019d make new friends in Greece. I did meet new people in Greece, and we all shared incredible experiences, but I still think back to Milan. It\u2019s been almost four years at this point, and there\u2019s the lingering thought of \u201cWhat if I\u2019d gone to Croatia?\u201d Not to be dramatic, but that trip could\u2019ve changed the trajectory of my life. I\u2019ll never know.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The second experience was the pandemic. I was in Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife<\/a> in March 2020. I\u2019d been accepted for a work exchange with a language school in the city. In exchange for free accommodation, I\u2019d do some copywriting for their website and help out with social media. I was in Puerto de la Cruz for exactly eight days before Spain went into their strict COVID-19 lockdown, and the island had halted the majority of flights to mainland Europe.<\/p>\n As I sat in my apartment, working remotely, I remained optimistic. I thought that in a few weeks, it\u2019d blow over, and I\u2019d be able to continue travelling. I had six more weeks of travel plans ahead of me and didn\u2019t want to go off schedule. Eventually, I had to admit to myself that I\u2019d be stuck in my apartment for the foreseeable future.<\/p>\n I was scrambling. I had to cancel everything I\u2019d spent months planning. I\u2019d researched everything extensively and even made spreadsheets about potential hostels to book in Portugal and Spain. I\u2019d picked the perfect seat on the train from Barcelona to Madrid and an idyllic accommodation in Porto. Cancelling everything was such an annoying and deflating task. It was anxiety-inducing, took too much time, and I was unsure if I\u2019d get my money back. I soon realised that I never ever wanted to go through the process of cancelling that many things again.<\/p>\n Once the borders started to open up, I continued my travels, but with a fresh perspective. When I was planning trips, I\u2019d always have an explanation for over-organizing everything. \u201cWhat if I don\u2019t meet anyone? What if I don\u2019t like the city? What if the hostel isn\u2019t as great as I\u2019d expected?\u201d If my expectations weren\u2019t me, I at least had the sense of knowing that my time was definitive and I could leave soon.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Now, I ask myself the same questions, but with a totally different outlook. If I don\u2019t meet anyone, I go out of my way to do so. If I don\u2019t like the city, I leave earlier than anticipated or go on a day trip somewhere else. If the hostel isn\u2019t what I thought it would be, I cancel my stay and book another one. If I like a place, I stay; if I don\u2019t, I leave.<\/p>\n Embracing spontaneity and letting go \u2014 just a little bit \u2014 helped me create unforgettable memories and experiences. It gave me the freedom to do whatever I wanted. I didn\u2019t see destinations based on scheduled flights, but rather, my mood and who I met. I no longer felt like I was missing out on incredible opportunities, and I no longer felt restricted by my own rigid planning.<\/p>\n While I still do the necessary research, like obtaining a visa, I\u2019ve been far more laissez-faire and adventurous in my travels. I haven\u2019t ended up disappointed, and I haven\u2019t experienced any major FOMO. I feel more free, confident and comfortable with myself. I no longer feel left out when people I met invited me on a last-minute trip. I no longer had to decline.<\/p>\n I learned that hostels will always have a bed, and there will always be a flight to catch or a bus to hop on. Certain cities will be around for years to come, but certain experiences won\u2019t be. I learned to happily say, for one of the few times in my life, \u201cDon\u2019t think, just do.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" As people embark on their solo travel journey, I like to believe that most start out the same way I did: plan, plan, plan. I researched everything, from ferry times to train seats, activities available on each day, nearby supermarkets, and cute cafes. In a way, doing this took away some of the magic when…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":171,"featured_media":148822,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9659],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-151406","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-inspire-me","authors-emily-reed","wpbf-post"],"yoast_head":"\nSpontaneity opens you to new experiences<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nNo planning = no last minute cancelling<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nHow I’ve grown to be a more spontaneous traveller<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nDownload the Hostelworld app to start meeting people from the moment you book<\/h3>\n
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You might also like…<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
How I discovered I was neurodivergent whilst solo travelling<\/a><\/h3>\n
10 struggles of a solo traveller<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n