Solo travel conjures up many emotions. It occasionally involves situations that warrant fear and possibly anger. It can also involve experiences that may cause these emotions while not being warranted. Recognizing fear and anger and using them for your safety without interfering with great experiences, is the challenge.
There is fear that is debilitating, that stops you from exploring the world. There is also fear that is useful, that protects you from entering dangerous situations.
There is anger that is unproductive, that stymies your ability to enjoy opportunities and people. There is also anger that helps you read situations and people, thereby protecting you from danger.
Emotions such as fear and anger are neither good nor bad. I try to think of them in terms of being useful or not useful.
When it comes to solo travel safety, if I'm fearful I consider carefully whether it is warranted and useful. If it is, I pay attention to it. If it's not, I use logic to get past it and usually find that, once in a situation, I relax and confirm that the fear was unfounded. It's a similar situation with anger. When deciding whether it's appropriate to be angry at a person or situation, I determine whether the anger is useful or not. If it is, it's protecting me. If not, it's restricting me and I have to figure a way past it.
I believe that, when traveling solo, it's important to make anger and fear useful. If there isn't time to consider everything, go with your gut.
Beyond Solo Travel Emotions: Raising Your Voice for Safety
In this post I cover the Fundamentals of Solo Travel Safety. Take note of #5: be rude if necessary.
A few years back I was on an overnight train in Europe in a regular compartment. There were a few people in it, a mix of men and women of different ages. I did what made sense on an overnight train; I went to sleep. However, I awoke in the middle of the night to discover that all but one man had disembarked and that he was pawing my body.
I yelled. Then, I went into the corridor and yelled. I likely woke a number of people but I also got the attention of the conductor and, even with the language problem, the tone and level of my voice told him what was going on. He moved me to another compartment where I was safe.
That was a situation that warranted anger and fear. Solo travel emotions kept me safe. Fortunately, I had my voice to protect me. If I'm being bothered by someone, I make it known. And, given that my policy is to stay in public (safety fundamental #1), there are always people around to come to my defence.
Some people, women especially, have naturally quiet voices. They may be afraid to make a fuss. You may need to get over both to ensure your safety as you travel solo. If this is you, before leaving on your trip, find your voice. Go into a basement or some place where you can yell and go for it. Practice using your voice so that it is ready if you need it.
For more on staying safe while traveling alone, see:
