Driving You Nomad

(Step-by-step, from someone who solo traveled for over 3 years)

Preparing for your first solo trip is exciting… until it isn’t. At some point, excitement turns into overthinking.

Where should I go?
Is it safe?
What if I get lonely?
What if I’m not “the kind of person” who can travel solo?

If that sounds familiar, you’re in the right place.

This is exactly how I prepared for my very first solo trip — not perfectly, but in a way that worked. And more importantly: this same approach still works today, no matter where I travel.

Step 1: I didn’t choose a country — I chose a feeling

Most people start their first solo trip by asking: “Where should I go?”

I started with a different question: “How do I want to feel during my first solo trip?”

At that time, I didn’t want:

• extreme adventure
• total isolation
• constant decision-making

I didn’t want to feel brave. I wanted to feel supported — in places where being alone didn’t automatically mean being lonely, and where making mistakes wouldn’t feel like a disaster. I wanted to be surrounded by people who were also figuring things out

That’s why I chose a destination with:

• a strong backpacker scene
• affordable prices (less pressure)
• easy transport
• good weather during that season

Not because it was the “best” country — but because it gave me confidence.

💡 This is the biggest mistake beginners make: choosing a destination for Instagram instead of for their nervous system.

Step 2: I optimized for confidence, not courage

Before my first solo trip, I thought solo travelers were fearless.

But trust me… They’re not.

What they have is some kind of structure.

So instead of trying to become braver, I made choices that reduced friction:

• I arrived during daylight
• I booked my first accommodation in advance
• I chose places where solo travel was normal

Confidence doesn’t come before action. It comes from removing unnecessary stress.

Step 3: I planned less than I thought — but more than I admitted

There’s a lot of advice telling you to “just go with the flow”.

That sounds romantic, and yes, it’s amazing to just go with the flow. But it’s also terrifying on your first solo trip.

What I actually did:

• I planned my first days, not my entire trip
• I knew how I would get from the airport to my accommodation (download an offline maps like Maps.me!)
• I had a rough route idea — not a strict itinerary

This gave me:

• a safety net
• freedom to change plans
• space to listen to myself

Step 4: I expected discomfort — and that changed everything

This step surprised me the most.

Before leaving, I made peace with the fact that:

• I might feel awkward (that first solo dinner definitely was haha)
• I might feel lonely at times (cried every day for the first 7 days)
• I might doubt my decision (literally from the second I stepped on the plane lol)

And because I expected it, it didn’t scare me when it happened. Or at least not in the way it could have if I hadn’t prepared myself mentally.

Loneliness didn’t mean failure and doubt didn’t mean I should go home.

It meant I was doing something new, and that I was stepping out of my comfort zone. I was learning as I went.

Once I stopped interpreting discomfort as danger, everything shifted.

Step 5: I stopped waiting to feel “ready”

Here’s the honest truth no one tells you:

You don’t feel ready before your first solo trip.
You feel ready because of it.

There was no final sign. No moment of certainty.

I booked the trip while still feeling unsure and trusted that I would figure things out along the way (even booking my flight only 10 days before I left because I kept postponing until I felt ready).

And I did.

Not because I was special. But because I had a system to fall back on.

What I want you to take from this

Preparing for your first solo trip isn’t about:

• knowing everything
• being fearless
• doing it perfectly

It’s about:

• choosing confidence over chaos
• making decisions that support you
• having a clear framework instead of endless tabs

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Want this entire process in one clear system?

I’ve poured my 3 years of solo travel experience into one easy-to-follow guide 🌍✈️ From planning and budgeting to safety and social connections, this guide has everything you need for successful solo travel.