I'm writing this on the plane to Japan. I’m hoping jet lag won't hit me too hard.

If you want to watch my adventures in real-time, follow me on Instagram.

If you have any questions or suggestions about places to check out, let me know and I'll try to include them in my trip!

I recently got this question from a friend:

"How to get into solo traveling?"

Everyone should try solo traveling at least a couple of times to see if it's for them. It's incredibly liberating to do exactly what you want, and once you realize that you bring the party with you, you can have fun in any situation.

But even for those interested, taking that first step can be daunting.

I remember my first solo trip to New Orleans—I felt so nervous about eating and traveling alone. At a restaurant, I was convinced the couple sitting across from me was judging me harshly. My mind started racing with imagined thoughts:

"That's sad that he's eating by himself."

"He's such a loser."

But guess what? I survived. Those thoughts were all in my head.

In fact, I soon realized nobody even noticed me.

That realization was eye-opening.

Don't worry though—in this newsletter, I'll share some proven tricks to ease into solo traveling.

Before answering the main question, let's address one key mindset shift that makes solo traveling seem difficult.

Many assume it's about being shy, but that's not it. I've seen extremely extroverted people feel terrified about traveling alone. Interestingly, these same people have no trouble chatting with strangers or meeting new people in their hometown.

Here's the real problem:

Society often suggests there's something wrong with solo travelers, and this social pressure makes it hard to begin.

Remember how until recently, society believed people couldn't work productively from home? We've proven that wrong, so don't let these outdated social rules hold you back.

Here's how to get started:

1. Start in your hometown by dining alone during dinner. After a few times, you'll realize it's not that bad. Not sure what to do while eating? Simple—use your phone like you normally would! I prefer reading while eating since I usually finish my food in about 10 minutes.
    
2. Join a group trip but schedule some solo activities. Think of it as sampling solo travel. This approach actually makes group trips more enjoyable since everyone gets to pursue their individual interests without compromise.
    
3. Do something you truly love by yourself—whether it's watching movies, pursuing hobbies, or attending a music festival. You'll find yourself having so much fun that doing things alone becomes just as good as doing them with others.
    
4. Once you're comfortable with these steps, try a tank trip to a nearby state. I covered this topic a few weeks ago.
    

Now, I'm perfectly at ease solo traveling. Actually, I think this self-sufficiency makes me a better travel companion too.

Try these tricks and let me know what you think.

Keep Traveling,

Andrew

If you’re hesitant from solo traveling? What’s stopping you?