The Solo Traveler Blog

Solo Travel with the Shore In Sight

23397360 42df4f1972 Solo Travel with the Shore In SightOn Thursday I posted some tips for the shy solo traveler. I said that the confidence required to travel solo is not the exclusive domain of the gregarious; shy people can be confident and enjoy solo travel too.

I’ve been doing some reading lately about confidence, where it comes from and attachment theory. To describe it simply, the more attached or connected we are (usually speaking about a parent/child relationship) the more likely we are to confidently take on the world. Or, bottom line, the more connected we are the more likely we are to stand on our own.

The metaphor this theory suggests in my mind includes an enticing, cool lake on a hot summer day. It’s easy to dive in and go swimming, even to the center, when one knows that the shore will remain stable. But what if we believed that the shore might disappear. It’s pretty hard to think about swimming for the rest of one’s life.

As a solo traveler, I know that my shore will always be there. My family, my children and my friends are the shore that gives me the confidence to take off and enjoy the freedom that solo travel affords.

I hope that you have such a shore filled with people and love. If not, I encourage you to cultivate it as it is never too late to grow connections and enrich life.

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  • http://roadstories.ca/ Boomergirl50

    Great post. I like shore thought. I also think the ability to communicate with loved ones is much easier which might be why more take the plunge.

  • solotraveler

    Oh I agree Scott. The more I go, the more confidence I gain. But I think that it has helped to have family and friends waiting for me at home.

  • http://www.farawayeyes.org Scott Hartman

    Paradoxical, for me . . . “where the confidence comes from” . . . for me, it came from going . . .

  • admin

    Thanks Andi. And thanks Dave & Deb. I’m glad you enjoyed and yes, it does apply whether you’re traveling solo or not

  • http://www.mybeautifuladventures.com Andi

    This is one gorgeous and insightful post! I couldn’t agree more. I doubt that I would be as brave and curious as I am, if I didn’t have the amazing “shore” that I have. Thanks for this post!!!

  • http://www.theplanetd.com Dave and Deb

    That is a beautiful metaphor. While we don’t travel solo, even as a couple we can worry about becoming detached from our friends and family. But for some reason, we become more close and connected to those at home while we are way. I guess it makes us all appreciate what we have and it makes coming home all that more special.

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