Travelling alone - anxious, scared even.

Are the couch surfing sights really good or just full of weirdos?

Actually this would be a good option for you since you can correspond with the person in advance and decide whether you think this is a good match for you or not.

As someone who occasionally has strangers staying with me, I have been amazed at the number of interesting people that I have met. You simply need to be open minded.

I would suggest starting with a short trip on your own for a long weekend or a week and see how you fare.

One of the things that I find when traveling alone is that it is useful to plan your days somewhat loosely in advance, to talk to people that you meet along the way and be flexible enough to make changes if someone suggests something you hadn't considered. It's ok to spend a couple of days with a stranger and then move on in a different direction. I have met people at hostels, at bus stops, on tours and ended up joining them for meals, a day or even several days.

Ideally I would find work overseas to support myself and I'd like to take off at spring next year so could have around £6k.

Finding work overseas and supporting yourself will depend entirely on your skills and qualifications, where you want to work and a variety of other factors. Of course, you have told us none of this about yourself.

As a young (under 30) Brit, you should look at the working holiday schemes as they offer some of the best opportunities for working overseas as the visa is arranged.

Ruth

Hi Ruth thanks for the great advice, the short trip is something I had not considered. I'll have a look at couch surfing further as part of the reason I want to go solo is to give me more confidence, but obviously to do it you need a lot of confidence.

My skill set revolves around design I have a HND in cabinet making and a degree in furniture design, the latter being my preferred area and the one I have worked in for the past 3 years. I would like to think I could gain a job in a skilled area as opposed to bar work etc.

In regards to visa's I'm aware Europe is all good, do you know if they can be sorted out whilst on the road. Are working holiday schemes paid or are they the schemes where you pay to do something a local could do.

You've nearly got 20,000 posts!!! :) Thanks again for the help.

I know ou mentioned you would like to get a job relational to your skill set, but as a suggestion, ( and for the benefit of other people looking to work whilst travel) you could try working in a backpackers hostel.

My thought behind this is that you will then have the opportunity to meet people and go off on your own for the day, on a day off if and when it suits you.

There are plenty around Europe who look for people to join them, particularly in time for spring.

If you like this idea and want any specific suggestions, pm me.

Once again that sounds like a nice idea, I'll drop you a PM. I just had an idea to maybe try and meet some of the local couch surfers for a coffee or beer and see what they are like!

do you know if they can be sorted out whilst on the road. Are working holiday schemes paid or are they the schemes where you pay to do something a local could do.

WHV usually need to be applied for at home in the country of your passport. They are only good (in most cases) until you turn 30. They do not pay you or provide you with jobs but they permit you to legally look for work in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Japan, etc where you might not otherwise be able to work.

My skill set revolves around design I have a HND in cabinet making and a degree in furniture design, the latter being my preferred area and the one I have worked in for the past 3 years. I would like to think I could gain a job in a skilled area as opposed to bar work etc.

You might be able to get skilled work in your field in countries where English is spoken but I suspect that this might be difficult in countries where you don't speak the language. Have you considered talking with your current employer about international contacts? Perhaps you can netowrk and find a position overseas.

Working overseas and traveling are two very different things. I am unclear what is your goal. If you want to work overseas for a year or two for the experience, if you want to travel and work to supplement (which is extremely unlikely) or do you want to relocate more permanently?

Ruth

Hi tail1 i have replied to your pm.

I hope that helps! Have fun!!!

Your original comments caught my eye and there is an idea in there that I would like to address.

It is the idea that we think/believe/are told we are supposed to enjoy traveling alone. I used to believe that, but gave it up.

I do okay traveling alone, it's not a problem, but I certainly enjoy and prefer the company of others. To me exploring new places is much more enjoyable when being done with a friend, girlfriend, wife or even a newly found acquaintance.

I think just about everything in life is much more enjoyable as a shared experience rather than as a lone pursuit.

To deal with my own notions about "time alone", I backpacked wilderness areas several times and while a pleasant experience, it would have been more fun with someone along. Being a social animal really is okay. Just my opinion.

Now if you truly FEAR being alone, that is a different story, but if you just don't find traveling alone as enjoyable as with others - I think that is relatively normal.

I agree, if you prefer traveling with other people, that is OK. I do as well. Actually I prefer traveling with 1 other person. Either a very good friend or a girlfriend.

I can travel solo, and I have, but I find it more entertaining to be able to share a joke and a story with a very good friend that Im traveling with.

I suggest taking a 1 or 2 month trip with the option to extend, and go somewhere by yourself. If you find you prefer it solo, then keep going. If not, then make new friends or meet current friends and move on together.

The most valuable part of traveling is learning about yourself, what you like and dislike, what you want in life, and what you dont. This is all part of it. In the end, just make a decision and move forward with it.

Tails ,

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.

Mark Twain

To over come anxiety you need to get yourself in a situation where you can't turn back and have to face your fear and keep moving forward. You feel scared now but I reckon that when your actually on the move you will be more relaxed . I think like that sometimes but when it comes to actually doing it , its not so bad.

Don't have regrets and just go for it mate. Get a blog going so people can read what your upto along your way .

Lodge.

Edited by: lodge28