Holidaying Solo - volatile mood

[LaPerduta]

I'm single with lots of time off work, especially in the summer, so do this quite regularly. Sometimes I love it but sometimes I find myself in a bit of a spiral of anxiety and depression and just want to go home. It's generally fairly unpredictable and there's nothing specific I can put my finger on that sets it off.

Does anyone else who goes away on their own find this? And, if so, any tips?

How old are you? I get like this if I'm out of my routine, holiday or not. I'm putting it down (like everything else) to the perimenopause.

I find it a very fine line between enjoying my independence / overthinking and becoming a bit lonely.

For that reason I tend to do group 'solo' trips and long weekend city breaks with lots of sightseeing. Beach / mooching leads to the overthinking.

I think sometimes when you see something great or are in a really nice place you can think 'I wish you had someone else here to share it with'. So feeling lonely can be triggered at random times.

Also, sometimes creeps target solo people. And we are probably more intended to bad intentions or picking up vibes from bad sorts when we are on our own. So the anxiety might actually be a warning to you at certain times and places.

Perhaps making a booking for an all female room at a local hostel might be worthwhile. You could meet other travelers for company in these new places.

*intuned to bad intentions

I don't think it's a peri thing as I've been like this for years/decades (eternally single).

I've done some group travel and found that really good. Highly recommended Intrepid Travel, I'd say about 60% on my trip were solo travellers and the rest were mostly small groups of friends, family or couples. Everyone got along really well.

Thanks for everyone's thoughts. I don't think I fancy sharing a room, but I agree that a hostel environment seems to be more conducive to meeting people.

I second group travel. Especially for tips that are 5- 7 days +! It can be expensive if you pay the single supplement but it's so worth it.
Otherwise I would only do a few days here and there. I do a lot of hiking, so 2-
3 nights away is plenty.

Yeah the single supplement is worth it if it's not crazy expensive. I did a trip with G Adventures before where it wasn't an option and I ended up with an extremely clingy roommate. We swapped halfway through so it wasn't for too long thankfully. Still had a brilliant time though.

Have you tried having more of your holiday other than in the summer, say not more than a week off at a time?

I don't really have much control over when I take leave.

I’m the same. So many places I’d love to go but I often end up feeling depressed and/or anxious when I get there, like I’m adrift and displaced. It can also feel like I’m the only person on my own when I look around. It’s weird because I’m not normally lonely despite spending to much time alone.

so much time alone that should say.

I've done this before where I've bookended time on my own with time with other people. Either a group holiday, or visit a friend at one end of the holiday or the other, or a course or something. Then I know I've either had interaction or am going to.

I think that unsettled feeling is really common. With me it's often a sign I need a good night's sleep, some exercise and/or food. And I feel loads better the next day and get on with stuff.

Also in a way maybe go with it. It's all part of life and being out of your normal environment.

That's a good idea when it's possible to do.