my fellow solo travellers: how do you cope with anxiety? I‘m going on my first solo trip to lisbon portugal and I‘m so anxious that something bad will happen. How can I reduce this?

It helps me to be prepared and have a plan that I feel confident in. Also trust yourself and your ability to take care of yourself! For anxiety relief, coloring, exercise and breathing helps me.

Do your research! Definitely see what are deemed safe and dangerous parts of where you’re going. You could also sort a back-up plan if it makes you feel better. What are you most afraid of happening?

I’m planning to go on an exchange semester from september and i’m freaking out too. What helps me keep calm is thinking that there is a reason why I organized this trip, I need to trust my ability and my decision and worst case scenario if something goes wrong you can always fly back home. Good luck! once you’re there it’s gonna be awesome!!

@yi_eune tw: sexual assault & rape The reason I‘m scared is that I‘m scared of being assaulted again (was raped by my ex-boyfriend a couple years ago). I‘m staying at a hostel and I booked a womens dorm but I‘m still really scared. I know nothing like that will happen but idk it worries me. Also I‘m really scared that someone will steal my stuff💀

@ollnasspam well the sad fact is that most women are sexually assaulted by intimate partners and people they know, but that also means the odds of a stranger assaulting you are way lower. So in a way you are going into a safer situation than you were in with your ex-boyfriend.

^This is a good thing to remind yourself. Unfortunately it is something that happens in hostels although it’s extremely rare, as long as you take precautions (of course we shouldn’t have to but it is what it is) - like staying in highly rated hostels, reporting or moving rooms if you feel uncomfortable, staying in female only dorms & not staying out late alone, then it’s very unlikely and not something worth missing out for. Always keep your stuff in your locker to avoid people stealing stuff, it’s less likely to happen at least in Europe as people travelling there tend to be a slightly older and have more money than people travelling SEA. I just went away for 2 months & did a short trip in Europe, staying in mixed & female only dorms at hostels and had no issues! Most men in my rooms were friendly & respectful and in every place I met people so I was rarely alone, there’s a lot of other solo female travellers. I didn’t hear any bad hostel stories from other solo travellers I met, only the odd noisy/inconsiderate roommate. I get health anxiety a little and was nervous about being robbed as I’d heard bad stories, but you have to remember there is a negative bias. Being prepared & taking precautions helped me feel less anxious. Sorry I have waffled!