Posted on September 28, 2009 - by Janice

What’s Your Solo Travel Narrative?

Is it time to write your narrative anew?

There were a number of movies at the Toronto International Film Festival this year that presented an impostor as the central character. These characters spun stories – their personal narratives – out of lies to make their lives appear grander than they were. I won’t ruin the films for you by revealing their titles but, essentially, in the end tragedy struck the characters and everyone around them.

But that’s film. In life, I believe, most of us hold personal narratives that are supported by facts, not lies. And our stories are often understated rather than overstated. But, ask any author or psychologist and they will tell you, the same facts can fit many different narratives.

It had me thinking about solo travel, the readers of Solo Traveler and myself. Some of us are still dreaming of traveling solo, some travel alone in modest ways and some are absolutely intrepid. Is our personal narrative affecting how we travel? Does it limit our choices or send us places that may be just a little too wild? Shouldn’t we review the facts once in a while to see if the narrative we’re working with is working for us?

As a solo traveler, I am relatively timid.
That’s what I believe. I haven’t yet been to South America, Africa or Asia because I consider them challenging. In my mind, this makes me a timid solo traveler. There are other facts that tell me to hold onto this belief and stay timid:

• I’m clumsy with documents. Yes, I get OC around things like tickets and prefer to put them in someone else’s care.
• I have a terrible ear for languages – even a few key words like please and thank you can be hard for me to pick up.
• There are other, bolder people who have traveled much farther afield at a younger age. I’m too old to get bold.

Shifting the solo travel narrative.
But while I view myself as timid, others see me as intrepid. The fact that I traveled down the Blues Highway, went to Havana and covered most of Europe alone places me on the other side of bold. Same facts, different conclusion.

I can also use the facts above to confirm a belief that I am a capable and yes, have the makings of an intrepid solo traveler.

• I am very cautious with documents and always ensure that they are in a safe place.
• My terrible ear for languages causes me to use cue cards and charm which connects me to locals even more.
• Traveling farther afield as a mature person means I have more experience to draw upon as I navigate the culture.

Yes. Same facts, different conclusion.

So, I ask you. What is your solo travel narrative? Is it a good one? Does it help or hinder you. Can the facts be reinterpreted into a narrative that enriches your life?

By the way, my narrative is evolving. Chile is on schedule for the first half of 2010.