What to do when you’re down to travel, but you’re an introvert? When you’re on a budget, and have to stay in hostels, but need to balance time with meeting people and recharging? When you’re easily overwhelmed by busy situations?

In my opinion, solo travel is a great way to travel when you’re an introvert – BUT I was nervous that I’d meet basically NO friends, because I can get hermit-ty and lazy as far as socializing goes. BUT – I actually met more people than when I traveled with friends!

However, it was nice to be able to CHOOSE when I could make those friends, ya know? Like I could be like, mmmk, today it’s just gonna be me and my DSLR and RBF (resting bitch face), and the next day I could put on the RNF (resting nice face) instead and try to not look so pained in social situations. (And somehow that worked, although I’m sure I looked constipated at times).

I do still love being around people, but I definitely need my alone time or else I run the risk of turning into a complete bitch. And sometimes that would stress me out – I felt like I constantly had to be friendly and meet new people to travel with when sometimes I just wanted to not talk or even look at anyone and go straight to my room and read a book.

It’s hard because, especially in a smaller room, you can feel like an asshole if you don’t say hi/make conversation with your fellow roomies.

Random side note: You may also want to take the MBTI personality test. I found it super helpful in understanding more about who I am, and my needs, etc. Just putting it out there!

I also sometimes made myself feel guilty for not meeting people to travel with, but then I’d remind myself that HELLO this is a SOLO trip, ain’t nothing wrong with exploring by myself!

I did that in 3/5 cities I went to in Belgium, to be honest. It was my last destination so I was so ready to be like #BYE I don’t need no new friends! Sometimes it’s almost better to sightsee by yourself, because then you can do what you want and not have to worry about what the other person wants to do.

Okay, so now getting to what has saved my butt time and time again being my introvert self. And what has kept me sane in the midst of traveling (sometimes it can be exhausting for an introvert, even if you’re alone, since travel is super stimulating and can be overwhelming).

Here’s what works for me, and I hope it helps you fellow introverts:

BALANCE LARGER CITIES WITH SMALLER ONES

I enjoy big cities because I sometimes like being around a lot of people without actually having to talk to them. It’s nice to feel that buzz of energy without putting in effort – same reason I enjoy being in coffee shops.

However, when it got to be too much, I’d escape to a smaller city or somewhere more countryside-like to get centered and feel like I could *breathe* again.

I’ve learned that I can really only do big BIG cities for a few days, but can do smaller BIG cities for a lot longer (i.e., I much preferred Galway to Dublin, Flagstaff to Phoenix, etc.). And breaks in national parks or the countryside are much appreciated.

DON’T FORCE YOURSELF TO SOCIALIZE EVERY NIGHT

I like meeting cool people (and there are an abundance when you travel!), but sometimes I just needed to put on the brakes, shove aside the FOMO, and hang out by myself.

I used to think I was a super weirdo, and felt like something was wrong with me (especially since both my mom and brother, who I spent the most time with growing up, are both super extroverts), which really sucked. It took a while to realize that this is just who I am, and hello my name is Kelsey and I am an introvert so please leave me alone I promise I’m not a bitch I just need time to recharge, and now I’ve come to accept it.

I still struggle (especially since I seem to be drawn to extroverts as friends! And then feel even more weird when I mysteriously decline a lot of their social invitations and worry that they hate me or think I hate them!), but I’m learning to give myself plenty of alone time so I’m ready to socialize when that time does inevitably come and I have to force myself not to make excuses about why I don’t HAVE to meet people today, I can do it tomorrow, etc.

IF POSSIBLE, MEET UP WITH PEOPLE YOU DO KNOW

It’s real nice to stay with someone that you’ve known for a long time so that you can feel at home and not have to deal with that exhaustion of constantly meeting new people. And there’s literally nothing like seeing a familiar face after weeks or months of time away from home.

BOOK A PRIVATE ROOM EVERY NOW AND THEN

This is a BIG ONE for me, and I’ve learned it’s one of the best ways to stay chillll when I travel. I don’t have the budget to stay in a room just with me myself and I every single night, but it’s real nice to break up the constant influx of new people.

I think next time I travel for a longer period of time, I’m going to aim to do this for a few nights every couple of weeks. It also helps prevent me from feeling all the FOMO because I can just go hermit it up in my room, unaware of all the other people that are becoming friends around me.

DON’T STAY IN A ROOM WITH TOO MANY PEOPLE

I learned this lesson in Dublin. It’s already a big city, so I felt overwhelmed to start, and then I decided it would be a great idea to stay in a room with 26 people. *crickets*

NO. NO. No matter how cheap the price is, I will never ever do this again. I felt super anxious the entire time, and will probably never go back to that hostel as it was also HUGE. And I just do not do well in HUGE places.

TRY TO MEET SOMEONE AND TRAVEL WITH THEM LONGER

Not sure if all introverts feel this way, but I really enjoyed traveling with one or two other people for longer periods of time – anywhere from a few days to a week. (As long as they weren’t crazy extroverted with really strong personalities – I can’t handle those sorts of people lol).

It was nice to get close to a few people at a time instead of constantly making small talk with strangers. And, when you’re traveling, you get close to people reallllly fast since you go through so much with them. So, it often feels like you’re with an old friend after day 2.

HAVE AN INTROVERT GETAWAY PLAN

And no, I’m not talking safety-wise (although that’s important, too!) – but more like, if you’re feeling socially overwhelmed and just need to LEAVE. Make sure you know how to get back to your room by yourself (but make sure it’s safe enough first! I wouldn’t advise walking alone at night if you’re a solo female and new to the area) in case you feel like you need some chill time.

I do this at home, too, LOL. I almost always try to get to a bar/party on my own, whether it’s with an uber or me driving myself, in case I feel like I’m ready to leave but my friends aren’t.

JOURNAL AND READ OR FIND WHATEVER IT IS THAT HELPS YOU RECHARGE

For me, writing down my thoughts at the end of the day, especially while traveling, is crucial. It helps me refocus my energy, and not feel so jumbled and anxious.

I also like a good book because it totally takes me out of reality, and I’m just focused on that one thing. Or a nice walk around a pretty place. Fresh air ALWAYS helps me.

If these aren’t your things, make time for whatever it is that is! Like yoga, or taking photos, or looking at cat pictures – whatever it is that relaxes you and chills you out, make sure to do it. Otherwise you’ll just feel bleh and exhausted and burnt out. #selfcare

SLOWER TRAVEL IS MY BEST FRIEND

If I travel too fast, I feel wayyyy too overwhelmed and stimulated. I’ve found that the slower I travel, the happier I am, and the more positive I look back on a destination.

I also have much more of a connection to that place, since I wasn’t rushing my ass off and was able to have some nice familiarities, such as the way the public transportation works and that nice little bakery on the corner and my favorite place to sit after a long day.

Okay, so – I hope this helps y’all. Have fun and live your best introvert life, and don’t feel guilty for wanting to do so! Let your hermit flag fly and when you do decide to let it down, be honest with your introvert self, put yourself out there but don’t burn yourself out.

And have fun, okay – that’s the entire point of travel, right??