Discover effective strategies to beat boredom while traveling solo. Turn your solo adventures into exciting experiences with these engaging tips.
By it’s very nature, traveling is a super exciting thing to do. Stepping into the unknown to explore new places is a real adventure. But something that people don’t really talk about is boredom. Yes, traveling can include tonnes of pinch-me moments where you can’t believe the beautiful places you’re seeing and what you’re experiencing. You’ll likely feel empowered and liberated to be traveling solo. However, when you’re traveling alone, there are going to be moments that aren’t so great, too.
As travel is such a privilege, it can seem ungrateful to admit that there are parts of the experience that are pretty boring. After all, not everyone has the opportunity to get out there and explore the world. But there’s no escaping the fact that there will be times spent at the airport when your flight is delayed, or you’ve simply had enough of looking in the same old shops that boredom can set in. Likewise, when you’re traveling alone, your downtime when you’re simply chilling at your accommodation can become a little boring too. It’s totally normal to feel this way. But there’s no doubt that it can make you feel restless. So, what should you do during these times? Here are some tips to help you keep boredom at bay while enjoying your travel adventure:
Learn Something New
Traveling brings many new experiences, so why not go one step further and learn something new, too? Learning a new language is a great way to pass the time, plus you’ll be nurturing a valuable skill. Learning the native language of your destination while you’re there gives you the perfect opportunity to put your newfound skill to use in real life. You could study a book to learn the language, but there are many online language providers available now, offering a full course to help you properly master the dialect.
Learning a new language is more than just a way to banish boredom. When you learn a new language, you will also be helping your brain in a multitude of ways. This can include improving your concentration, boosting your memory, and enhancing your creative thinking. Of course, if you persevere and continue learning and practicing your use of the new language it can bring other benefits. If you decide to stay longer in your destination, these language skills will help you find employment if you need it. Plus, you’ll be better able to form friendships and connections with others. This will go a long way to helping you to ease your boredom, as you will be able to socialise and enjoy conversations with the locals.
Connect With Others
Learning a new language will definitely help you better connect with the locals at your destination. But when boredom and loneliness are issues, it also helps to connect with others in the same position. Getting into conversations with other people at your hostel or hotel can pave the way for the start of some great friendships. For a start, you’ll have your shared interest in travel in common.
Even if you only exchange small talk with others, it’s a great way to have some kind of engagement with other people while travelling alone. You may also find that you get to pick up some handy tips and recommendations for must-see places to visit and things to try during your stay. This can really enhance your visit, and who knows, you may meet friends for life by connecting in this way.
Play Games
All those new sights, sounds, and experiences can become a little intense at times when you’re travelling. For this reason, it can be really helpful to just take some time to yourself every now and then to consciously relax. Unfortunately, it is during these times that you may feel a little restless, and boredom can start to set in.
Playing online games, such as a word search, can really help. Playing games engages your brain enough to banish boredom. However, the distraction of playing is a great way to help your brain unwind. These kinds of games are also an excellent way for you to stay occupied and pass the time when you’re waiting around for connecting flights or your plane is delayed. You’ll be surprised at how quickly time can pass when you’re immersed in a fun game.
Catch Up With Life at Home
Those moments of boredom, when you have nothing planned, can sometimes lead to homesickness. If you’re travelling solo for an extended period of time, it’s completely normal to feel this way. Using these times as an opportunity to catch up with life at home can help to ease these feelings.
Checking in with distant friends and family members can help you feel more connected and able to enjoy your travel experiences. Having someone to share your experiences so far with and reflect on what you’ve been doing is a great feeling. Your loved ones will also be pleased to hear from you and know that you’re safe and enjoying your adventure.
Keep a Record of Your Adventure
One final way to keep feelings of boredom away is to start recording your adventure. Creating lasting memories of your trips will provide something tangible you can use to reminisce, share with loved ones, and maybe even share with the world.
Spending your downtime writing about your experiences in a travel journal or by setting up a travel blog is an excellent way to ensure you don’t forget a single detail of your trip. Taking lots of photos and editing them to post on a blog or simply to print out and display when you get home is a great use of your time. It’s also a lot of fun.
In Conclusion
There’s no doubt that your trip won’t be exciting every second of every day. But embracing moments of boredom and using them as an opportunity to do something you enjoy is a great way to deal with them.
