i'm turning 40 next year and the longest i've ever been traveling alone is two mere days. in a few days i'll be on a flight from switzerland to mexico where i'll be traveling around in the south for five weeks on my own. my spanish is quite good and i've never had problems socializing and finding new friends, not even in my cold country of origin. but damn, i'm terribly scared of feeling alone. whenever things get quiet i really contemplate cancelling everything. i won't, but my stupid little brain really craves the security of the known environment. wish me luck i guess :)
There will be lonely moments for sure, but try to tolerate and power through because those are unique too — being alone in a foreign land. It’ll also force you to be more social than you might otherwise be. When you haven’t heard your native language in a while abroad and hear it for the first time, you’ll naturally want to go talk to those people. I’m a more the merrier guy and after doing solo (out of necessity after a breakup), with a partner and with friends, I’m happy to go solo if it doesn’t fit with others’ plans. I’m excited for you internet bro it’ll be good.
I just did my first solo vacation last month, and it was to visit Switzerland from Massachusetts! It was beautiful. Two weeks of hiking in and around Wengen. It was a big deal for me because my sense of direction is terrible so I was constantly worried I was going to get lost, especially on the long train ride from the airport, but it all worked out and I had a blast. I hope you have an awesome time in Mexico!
I would highly recommend that you take a few days in Zipolite, Mexico. It's my favourite place. So relaxing, chill vibes; it's a small surf town and has a nude beach. No big chains, just quaint little hotels and B&Bs, local restaurants, etc.
Seek discomfort! Lonelyness is GOOD. I encourage you to sit in that feeling with screens off. Its tremendous. Allow gratitude in. ( im close to 70 countries, half solo, its amazing)
Have your first evening planned before you land - food and a place to sleep. Travel fatigue can make that first quiet night feel bigger, and you can leave the rest open.
Hostels help a lot specially if you're younger. I'm close to your age and did my hostel thing but nowadays I find a hostel and get the private room . Good luck and it's fun traveling solo
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u/johnnyderp87 8h ago
i'm turning 40 next year and the longest i've ever been traveling alone is two mere days. in a few days i'll be on a flight from switzerland to mexico where i'll be traveling around in the south for five weeks on my own. my spanish is quite good and i've never had problems socializing and finding new friends, not even in my cold country of origin. but damn, i'm terribly scared of feeling alone. whenever things get quiet i really contemplate cancelling everything. i won't, but my stupid little brain really craves the security of the known environment. wish me luck i guess :)