Comments on: What is lonely? And why don’t I feel so when I travel alone?

By: Janice Waugh

Janice Waugh — Sun, 06 May 2012 20:22:00 +0000

Oh, then you must read today’s post on Solo Traveler. It’s perfect for you… http://solotravelerblog.com/the-journey-mary-oliver/

(I add the daily post to Facebook in the evening so you’ll see it there in a few hours.

By: Paperclips_ca

Paperclips_ca — Sun, 06 May 2012 20:09:00 +0000

I love to travel alone, and do meet people to chat here and there. But I’ve got a trip coming up on a cruise, and I can hardly wait! I feel a bit tired and stressed. Lately anything I say or do doesn’t seem to be good enough for anybody …….. so right now I’m so looking forward to just getting away on my own without caring of who likes what, who wants what. Don’thave to compromise, NOTHING!!!!

By: Wand'rly Magazine

Wand'rly Magazine — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:42:00 +0000

I like your take. I get very lonely when I travel alone, and even though I believe I’m the type of person who actually likes to be alone in my own head for big chunks of time, after a few weeks of traveling and not having any long time friendships around, I go a little crazy. I usually find the solution in a pub or two, but it’s still there.

Really enjoying your site by the way, happy travels!

By: Valerie

Valerie — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 15:48:00 +0000

Trying to get people to understand “Alone” is not “Lonely” is almost as exhausting as traveling with other people. The differentiation is laid out quite well here and I thank my lucky stars for not letting anyone or anything get between me and my solo journeys!

By: Nora

Nora — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 02:15:59 +0000

What a brilliant and sensitive way to differentiate feeling lonely from feeling alone.
Thank you; I hope it inspires a few more solo travelers-to-be to book that plane ticket.

By: jessiev

jessiev — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 00:08:28 +0000

you’re right – i am most lonely when i miss people in the MOMENT that we’ve shared, and are experiencing again. brilliant essay.

By: christine

christine — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 17:10:06 +0000

I agreed with you 100%. The routine that we used to do is no longer there to share with your love one that makes us feel lonely. The routine that we used to do alone does not change so that’s why we do not feel lonely. I love to travel but prefer to have a friend just to discuss, to talk, to share a good experience.

By: Amy MacLeod

Amy MacLeod — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 17:00:54 +0000

What a heart-depth article. Lonliness for me is not cured by having other people around, it is ‘cured’ by having a sense of intimacy – with one person, with a memory, with meditation, etc. Oddly enough, that inner sense can be taken away by having people around with whom one is expected to engage.

By: Evelyn Hannon

Evelyn Hannon — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 13:46:55 +0000

Wonderfully wise words. Brava!

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 00:59:58 +0000

This is a lovely article. I often feel more alone in large crowds than I do when actually on my own. I think that it’s important to really have a handle on your emotions and what makes you comfortable and uncomfortable. This is especially true when traveling when you are throwing yourself into so many unpredictable situations- you want to be in your best mental state.