First time female solo traveller… Am I mad?!

Hi everyone,

Before I start, I'd just like to say, please excuse my naivety! Although I've always wanted to travel the world this is all still really new to me

I'm a 21 y/o female from the UK and I've always wanted to go travelling! I've found reasons and excuses to put it off the last couple of years, but now I'm so desperate, determined and excited to go and I'm planning on going towards the end of this year. It started out just as a WH in Australia, but I'd really love to travel most of SE Asia first, and a handful of other countries beforehand, then go on to Aus where I'm hoping to work and travel for a year as well. I'd love to do Hong Kong, Thailand, Kuala Lumpur, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Philippines, Laos, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Bali, Lombok (Gili Islands), Fiji, Hawaii, New Zealand and possibly Japan and Jordan if I get the chance.

I know it's a lot of places and a lot to comprehend setting out as a solo traveller, but am I mad to go ahead and just do it?! The only thing starting to hold me back a bit is family/friends telling me that it's unachievable and putting down the whole thing. When I've saved enough money I'd like to think that there's nothing stopping me and that I can achieve it all if I put my mind to it. Travelling solo doesn't bother me at all, plenty of people have said it's the best way to do it and I'm a very independent person anyway, plus I know I will meet loads of people on my travels and make friends in many destinations as a solo traveller.

Someone please restore my faith and tell me I'm not crazy!

You are not crazy. Spending a year or two on a WHV in Australia is an extremely common thing to do, and making your way through SE Asia is eminently doable as well. You are quite ambitious though, and I wouldn't try planning for this entire list at once given that it sounds like you don't have any experience with long term travel yet.
What I'd probably recommend is doing your WHV in Australia first to build up some routine and experience, using that as a base for Fiji and New Zealand (and since New Zealand has a WHV scheme of its own, you could easily extend your trip with a year there if you find yourself loving the life), and then at the end of it making your way back home through SE Asia. That way you don't have to plan that SE Asia bit at all yet, but have your entire time in Australia to research and build up to it, with a more realistic view of what that would entail based on your experience in Australia.

I am going travelling alone as a female to Aus/NZ too on a working visa.

Seems really doable to me

PS you don't need that negativity in your life because you can do it!

Of course you are 'mad'. Anyone who does not conform to societal norms is obviously 'mad'. Did you know there was even a guy way back in the past who tried to say the world was round? Everyone knows if you sail very far from shore you will fall off the edge of the world.

How selfish of you to even THINK of doing something like that. Consider it from the viewpoint of your family and friends! What if you actually DO it? Where will it leave them? They will have to realize that they did nothing like it. You will probably come back and talk about cultures and experiences they have never had and never will have. Why, the damage you could do to their self-esteem is immeasurable!

No, no, sophhdw, stay home, stay in that little bubble of a life like everyone else around you. Years ago, when I used to have to work for a living (before retiring far younger than anyone should ever think of retiring and living a life of leisure), I once remarked to a fellow drone, I was thinking of putting up a sign on the wall of my office that said, 'Think small and conform'. I sometimes imagine what a 'normal' life I would have had if I had just followed that advice myself. Uh huh.

Ditto above. You're not mad in the slightest.

Remember, there are countless solo female travellers all over the planet at this very moment. Countless millions of solo travellers have gone before you. You're not breaking any new ground or doing anything remotely unique, you're joining an enormous fraternity of other female travellers.

Also, you'll meet a zillion other travellers on the road. It's easy to find another solo traveller or a group of travellers to hook up with if you feel the need.

Lastly, don't be too ambitious with a huge bucket list. The most important thing is to simply leave home behind, period. To begin choose easy, familiar destinations (like Australia, New Zealand, etc.) where language and customs are basically the same as home except they have cool accents and different beer, or easy "foreign" destinations with a great backpacker infrastructure like Thailand and many other parts of SE Asia. These areas are chock full of other inexperienced first-timers just like yourself.

Good on you for trying to break free. Have fun with your research.

Cheers,
Terry

[ Edit: Edited on 12-May-2016, at 07:32 by CheersT ]

I think you are actually fine and as you said you are very much independent. I actually envy someone like you because at your age you really want to explore the world even if you don't have someone with you. You are truly exceptional and obviously the bravest. Just continue doing what you really want.

If you're crazy then I must be too! I'm a first time solo traveller with a list as long as my arm of places I want to visit! I'm making my way around south east Asia between June and the start of September and then I'm travelling over to Aus on a WHV by myself & plan to see New Zealand & Fiji whilst I'm over there! I've had lots of doubts from my family and friends but i'm doing it regardless! Hopefully like you said I'll meet lots of people in a similar position & won't be alone for long! If your hearts set on it just take the plunge and do it! Good luck!