Take a Leap of Faith and Travel Solo!
A lot of people have a list of things to do before they die. For some, it includes traveling solo. Unfortunately, for some people, that item will always remain unchecked. Why? They could tell you: I don’t have any money. I’m too lazy to make plans for myself. I don’t have the time to travel. I’m afraid.
Subway station in Prague, Czech Republic.
Yes, the world is full of excuses that we can use to justify our decision to stay where we are. I’ve used some of them too. I remember the crystal merchant’s reply to Santiago when the latter asked him in The Alchemist why he was not pushing through with his pilgrimage to Mecca. The merchant said: I’m afraid that if my dream is realized, I’ll have no reason to go on living.
For him, then, it’s better to have the dream than fulfill it. He’s afraid of the hole it will leave in his life if it’s gone.
My first jump shot in the Tianmo Desert, China. © Jazz Ramiro
I took a leap of faith by traveling alone when I was 11. I was a bit worried, yes, but the excitement was stronger! I was around three years old though, when I first became conscious of how addicting it can be to be on the road. Every time my parents took me on their trips, I felt so happy, so lucky to be chosen to go. Through those early trips, I realized that anything is possible, including, yes, backpacking in Europe.
So how do you take the leap of faith? How do you take that first step off the solid ground that you’ve always been loathe to leave by yourself?
Walking by the canals in Tongli, China.
Want it hard enough, and it will happen! When you want something hard enough, you’re more open to possibilities, more aware of opportunities that can help you get it. The Secret and The Alchemist are saying the same thing; the desire has to come from you first—get rid of all the fears that are holding you back. If you really want it, you can find ways to get it. Otherwise, all you’ll have are excuses.
Do something to address your limitations. You don’t have money to travel? I didn’t too. As a non-profit employee, I didn’t earn much. Traveling costs money, no matter what some people may tell you otherwise. You need to eat, to pay for your transportation and the entrance fees to museums and such. But it doesn’t mean that you have to be a millionaire to be able to travel alone.
I saved like crazy for years, setting aside 20-30 percent of my monthly salary into my travel fund. I looked for other ways to earn: editing papers, writing website content, monetizing my blogs, among other things. My earnings from those all went to my bank account. I skipped on going to the cinemas or eating in restaurants. I bought clothes on sale. I used my phones till they broke down or got lost, uncaring about the latest gadgets (except for my Kindle!) that would surely take a big slice off my monthly salary. I wanted desperately to travel, so I found ways to address my financial limitations.
By the South Gate in the Angkor complex, Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Choose your destinations well. One way of addressing budget challenges is also to choose your destination well. For us in Asia, for example, the other Asian countries are pretty cheap; I only had $200 when I went to Saigon, but I was already a millionaire there. You can have interaction with locals and free accommodation through Couchsurfing too, so you can really save a lot! And of course, nothing beats traveling in your country first.
Prepare for your trip in advance. I prepared for my backpacking trip in Europe for years, buffing up my savings, building my skills, and building my network in Couchsurfing. I wanted to make sure that I will travel cheaply in Europe. I do regret it a little bit that I waited until now to take this trip. I should have done this years ago!
In front of the Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna, Austria. © Peter Langauer
At least, though, I am doing it now. I am fulfilling that dream and unlike the crystal merchant, I’m not afraid that it will leave a hole in my life. I’ll just replace it with something else once I have checked it off my bucket list. Living is constantly challenging yourself, be it through travel or some other goals, and I’m glad that traveling solo has made me what I am today.
How about you? Will you take a leap of faith and travel alone?
This is my entry to the 17th Blog Carnival of the Pinoy Travel Bloggers called Leap of Faith: When Travelling Changed My Life hosted by Reiza Dejito of Wander If You Must.
Aleah Taboclaon is a freelance writer and editor. She likes running (completed one marathon, training for the next!), diving (PADI open water diver), and traveling with her Kindle. Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Google Plus. You can also email her; she would love to hear from you! Share and Enjoy
What you said here is so true. That’s exactly how I have been traveling throughout my uni years here in Europe as well. Everything on a budget, scrimp and save on what I have so that I can see the world.
Traveling is an addiction, but it is also one of the most enriching things life has to offer to us!
Kudos to you for embarking on your backpacking trip! xx
arathi recently posted..Be The Change You Want To See.
I do travel solo too!!!
and you just gave an idea on how to prepare for travels abroad..
Take the leap as we say it!
Simurgh | Ang Pala-lagaw recently posted..Leap Of Faith | Got Hit By Travel Bug
@ Arathi: Some people see my scrimping as a sacrifice. Actually it’s not for me. It’s just a matter of priority
@ Simurgh: There are lots more I can write about it. hehe
Aleah recently posted..Take a Leap of Faith and Travel Solo!
Aleah, you are such an inspiration to everyone (especially women) out there who wants to see the world, but are afraid to go out of their comfort zones. Keep on spreading the travel bug!
I did my semi-solo trip last Dec (2011) for 2 weeks. It’s semi-solo because I travelled to HK & Taiwan, where I sometimes met up with my local friends there. Moreover both places are Chinese places (I’m from Singapore, Chinese). However, I did all the sight-seeing alone.
I was a little aprenhensive about traveling alone. How do I take photo when I travel alone? I lugged along a mini-tripod. However, I found a new best friend – my iPhone… now I’m a camera-whore… sometime totally new to me.
My next solo trip will be to Saigon… agree with you that choosing a destination for budget travelling is important. I’m already planning my 2013 March holiday weekend trip to Siem Reap… another destination that is really economical too.
Like you, my real big one will be Europe. but that will have to wait until I’m in between jobs, where I have the luxury of time (several months) to explore Europe to my heart’s content.
@ Reiza: Thanks thanks! Good luck with the compilation!
I also ask other people to take my picture. What I do is identify the solo traveler or the travelers in pairs. Then I offer to take their picture. They’ll be likely to say yes when I ask them to take mine as well 
Siem Reap is love! Gotta write my experiences there before I forget them hehe
@ Elise: I just use a timer when taking a pic of myself during my trip. The focus is not so good though
Aleah recently posted..Take a Leap of Faith and Travel Solo!
your blog is inspiring and amazing
keep it up
regards
Hi,
I’ll be leaving my comfort zone after teaching for the last sixteen years. Although it will initially be limited to the Pearl of the Orient for now, I aim to go around to other countries in the future as well.
I’m hoping that I can do what you and a lot of other travel bloggers are doing right now.
Peter recently posted..Puerto Princesa . . .
@ Jaisingh: Thanks thanks. Do drop by again!
Congrats for deciding to take that leap of faith!
@ Peter: Best way to start traveling is to travel in your country
Aleah recently posted..Take a Leap of Faith and Travel Solo!
I agree with you Aleah you don’t need to be a millionaire to travel the world. This is one of the reason I created a blog back in 2009. To convey to everyone that even if you’re not a millionaire you can still travel. It is just a matter of making it your priority and of course it also depend on your health.
I thought I’ve read the best until I got stuck on this very inspiring entry of yours. The next thing I done after reading it is to bookmark it. I will read it again and again because it motivates me. Thanks for sharing.
Lagalag recently posted..How To Commute To Cebu’s Tourist Spots
@ Cha: Very true. Anyone can travel, as long as they really want to!
@ Lagalag: Thank you, blush naman ako hehe Do drop by my blog again!
Aleah recently posted..Take a Leap of Faith and Travel Solo!
I travelled solo around Europe 4 years ago and had the time of my life, I recommend everyone tries it. Going on vacation with friends and family is a holiday, while travelling solo is an adventure.
Bethany recently posted..How to Get an Ex Back That Dumped You
Hi Aleah!
Just want you to know that you’re an inspiration. I’m planning to travel solo this year
Joann recently posted..Because of Wanderlust
I had previously travelled solo before for business trips and interstate trips. But, it was the first time I travelled solo in Italy for 3 weeks over Christmas/New Year. I loved it!
@ Bethany: I agree 100% with your statement about traveling with your family. Yeah, it’s a holiday, a vacation. You’re more careful, and your itinerary is more well thought out. It’s good too, but I prefer solo travel.
@ Joann: Way to go! Let us know when you do, and how your experience was.
@ Jasmine: Italy is WONDERFUL. I really hope I can go back, especially to Toscana!
Aleah recently posted..Snapshot Sunday—The Rebirth of the Church of Our Lady in Dresden, Germany
Nice advice there but I’ll be really honest and say that travelling solo scares the hell out of me.
The Photoblogger recently posted..Davao Food Appreciation Tour 2011 in Photos
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[...] in any way, fall into the Hardcore Traveler category.It is, however, an excellent transition into traveling solo.In order to enjoy the experience, though, I had to break out of a fundamental traveler’s [...]
@ The Photoblogger: Don’t worry, you’re not alone. It scares a lot of people
Aleah recently posted..Caving in Wawa Dam, Montalban
I have just started traveling solo, and it is fast becoming my favorite way to go! Sure, it gets lonely, but really, that’s the only negative- if you can even consider it negative. I am interested to find out how I will fare once I start traveling with other people again!
Bailey recently posted..Durbur Square, Kathmandu, Nepal
[...] they could face alone for many reasons, but if there’s anyone who can tell you about the benefits of solo travel, that would be [...]
These are some great tips and great inspiration for travel. I too always seem to have a phone that was cool about five years ago.
Traveling Ted recently posted..Green Mill Jazz Club: Former Al Capone hang out, current Traveling Ted one
@ Bailey: Yeah one can get very comfortable traveling alone. That’s why I want to break out of my comfort zone this year and start traveling with someone else again, aside from my solo trips.
@ Ted: My current one is 4 years old. Am considering buying an old iPhone though, if only for the Google Maps app haha
Aleah recently posted..Best of Travel Photos—My 7 Super Shots
Great post! The problem is people think travelling solo is a big deal, and it is, but it is also a lot easier than they think. Mainly the desire to have company is stronger than the desire to go it alone. To be honest I’m just selfish and a commitophobe. I need to be alone
George recently posted..I have Never ….
@ George: I absolutely can relate. I find it easier to travel by myself than with others. That said, I would have to learn how to travel with company, so I’ll try doing that soon
Aleah recently posted..Where to Have a Massage in Quezon City
I can travel solo! i believe i am a traveler and a wanderer in my past life.
I can but i WON’T do it.
not now. i am a girl. i did all the explaining to parents on how i wanted to accomplish my planned trip. They never understand me. They think of safety and they see traveling to far places alone is risky.
I have tried going home very late and they were up all night waiting for me.
Even if i can and it’s life’s greatest dream, i would risk it just to see my parents happy and secured because i am in their side. after all, in their whole life, they did not think of their happiness as parents, they both worked hard for us, their children.
For those who has the opportunity to travel, happy trip! enjoy! and be one with universe! i pray for the best to the solo backpackers.
@ Erl: Thanks for the encouragement, Erl. I hope someday you’ll find the chance to follow your desire without going against your parents’ wishes. It’s very unselfish of you to think of them first, and I commend you for that!
Aleah recently posted..Snapshot Sunday—Graffiti Art in Mauerpark, Berlin
Hi Aleah!
I would like to take a leap of faith and would probably travel solo by next year…I was thinking of going to Thailand..Thank you for your blog and Wish me luck ^_^
I enjoyed reading those two books (well I just watched The Secret) as well! Most of the time people would wonder why one travels solo and usually identify that someone as problematic or running away from something. They watch way too many teleseryes in my opinion.
Been aloof almost my whole life solo traveling gives us a chance to introspect and become better persons in the process.
Big Cheers for Solo Travel!
[...] traveling by themselves. They get lonely on the road, or they are concerned about their safety when traveling solo. If you need to be convinced about the beauty of solo travel, check out my reasons for doing so. A [...]
@ Gelo: Go go go! Thailand is great to backpack solo in. Sana matuloy!
@ Albin: Loved those two books! Am glad you enjoyed them too. Solo travelers FTW!
Aleah recently posted..3 Reasons to Travel Solo
I just had my first solo travel to Korea for a week last March 2013! and though it’s kinda lonesome to travel alone, i did enjoy it as i can make my own itinerary without having to consult the people ur travelling with. i can do quick decision on where to go next!^^ I’ll be travelling solo again this month to Bangkok for 3 days! (though i’ll be meeting some friends there)
Cheers to solo travelers!^^
@ Yanji: Solo travel can be addicting! Some friends of mine who have also started traveling solo have told me they are now scheduling more and more trips by themselves. It’s so liberating, isn’t it? Cheers, and safe travels!
Aleah recently posted..Taking The Plunge in Danao, Bohol
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