In the past 2.5 years I have been to 47 cities across 3 continents. Some of these tricks apply specifically to women, but a lot are just helpful for anyone who likes to travel. Here’s a massive brain-dump, so let’s do this! 1. FIND YOUR PEOPLEProblem: I was scared to travel alone as a lady, especially late at night. I heard horror stories of women getting abducted or assaulted while traveling.
Solution: Join communities online and in person and use the buddy system. Cough up the extra bucks to take taxis home late at night. I always do research right before I land to check which taxi cabs are the least sketchy (this is particularly necessary in SE Asia). I also save the emergency numbers for police and ambulance in my contacts. Join Online Communities
2. PRIORITIZE YOUR HEALTH Problem: Sometimes I like to cry. But when I travel, I don’t have my best friend or family next door. Solution: Joining communities like I spoke about above or Skyping my family/friends. There are also options such as talking to active listeners or even therapists that will Skype you. Mental health or therapy: Traveling alone is not easy. It may look glamorous on Instagram, but sometimes you just want a big hug from your best friend or mom. Some people think traveling is therapy, but sometimes that is not the case.
Mindfulness/Meditation: I get anxious, medidation and yoga and my ways of calming my crazy inner voice that may tell me to stop
3. MANAGE YOUR MONEY Problem: Traveling costs money. Solution: Find a remote job, creating a travel blog or service, and tracking my expenses diligently. How to find a remote job
4. TRAVEL SMART Problem: Planning takes a lot of logistics and time. It also stresses me out when I don’t have my flights or next locations booked (aka right now). I also don’t know which countries are safe for women. Solution: Have travel goals for the next month, create a budget, and travel hack. Most of the resources below are non-gender specific so I also do research on safety indexes and the perception of women in local cultures before booking flights. Another way I feel safe is by being super aware. My personal rule is I don’t drink when I am alone. Learn How to Travel Hack
Booking flights
5. STAY INSPIRED Problem: Travel can be exhausting. No one really talks about the downsides, but they do exist, I swear. Solution: I keep my wanderlust alive by following beautiful Instagram accounts and blogs to inspire my next travels. Blogs Instagrams to follow 6. PACKING 101 Problem: I can’t lift my suitcase… Solution: Pack half of what you think you need. You’re going to want to buy stuff when you’re there. I carry a backpack and a carry-on suitcase now. I always test if I can carry my suitcase up the stairs in my house before I leave for the airport. Gear: cute gear is often hard to find. I am still on the hunt for the perfect backpack, but I like the Thule one I have for now.
7. DON’T GIVE UP ON DATING Problem: I still want to date, but I don’t trust strangers. Solution: Do things you like. Those are where the people you may like are hiding. Go to events, play sports, go dancing, just do your thang. Dating
8. UPDATE YOUR TOOLKIT Problem: I want to stay productive while traveling. Distractions are very easy. Solution: Track your time, get in consistent routines, and iterate. Tools
4 Comments
5/30/2017 07:03:28 pm
Hello Nicole! Great Article! You visit Philippines too.
Reply
Leave a Reply. |