How to Avoid Burnout While Solo Travelling
Introduction
Before solo-traveling long-term, I had no idea how mentally exhausting planning everything on your own would be. Don’t get me wrong, I love solo-travel but being in constant planning mode can be so tiring and time-consuming. If you have been feeling overwhelmed, anxious about your decisions or just totally overplanning then this post is for you. I am going to go over how to avoid burnout so you can actually enjoy the process. Planning shouldn’t feel like a chore, it should feel exciting. Here’s how to make it simple, fun and flexible so you can spend more time exploring and less time stressing the hell out.
What is Decision Fatigue And Why It Hits Solo Travelers Hard
Constant Planning = Constant Choices
When you’re solo traveling, you’re constantly making decisions from the big ones like where to go next or where to stay, to the endless stream of micro-decisions throughout the day. What should I eat? Should I walk, take the train, hop on a bus, or grab a taxi? It might not seem overwhelming at first. But after weeks of making every decision on your own, without anyone to share the mental load, it can really wear you down. You’re relying on yourself for everything, and it can be super exhausting at times.
Signs You’re Burning Out
– you start over-researching or overthinking every little thing
– you’re hating the planning stage and procrastinate planning
– you feel anxious that you’re making the wrong choices
– you feel really indecisive
When you start feeling that you’re burning out and planning stops being fun but feels like a pain then you need to take a step back and switch up your planning strategy.
My Golden Rule: Loosely Structured Itineraries
Plan Just Enough (Not Everything)
I love being a spontaneous traveller but having a rough itinerary at least gives you a bit of structure so you’re not at a loss of what to do next. Before long trips I plan where I want to go and for roughly how much time. I don’t book much in advance but I have a general idea of the route I’ll be taking. If you are planning a month’s journey or longer I recommend dedicating a day each week to plan for your next week. This has always worked for me but, remember if you are travelling during peak season anywhere be prepared to plan in advance so you don’t miss out on anything you want to do. But generally having a basic itinerary for the next week or so is a key way to prevent you from being too locked into a set schedule while still having a plan.
The Key to Perfect Travel Days that Don’t Burn You Out
If this is your first long-term trip I know it can be tempting to but, don’t overplan your days! I definitely did on the beginning of my first solo trip because I wanted to do everything, see everything, and make the most of every single day. But honestly? I just ended up feeling exhausted. I was packing in so much that I had no time for myself and no space to reflect on everything I was experiencing.
Now, I’ve learned that my favorite travel days are the ones where I only plan one non-negotiable activity, like a museum visit, a class or to visit one ‘touristy’ sight. I might also pick out a cute cafe or restaurant that’s nearby. But the rest of the day? Totally open. I know that might feel scary, especially if you’re used to having a packed itinerary. But trust me leaving space in your day allows you to actually enjoy what you’re doing, instead of rushing through it. And honestly, some of my best travel memories have come from those unplanned, spontaneous moments.
Travel Tools I Swear By (Build Your Solo Travel Planning Toolbox)
One of the best places to find things to do and great places to eat. Just search up the location you are going to and tons of content will come up! Of course I love using travel blogs for more in depth info but if you need some quick ideas Tiktok is great. However, I will note be careful with everything you see because some places are way overhyped and others are now so overcrowded because it goes viral and is now a ‘tiktok spot’.
Before I go on any trip I save sights, restaurants, cafes and everything I want to do on google maps. I create a custom list for every city I am going to. It’s the best way to have everything saved in one place. You can also download offline-maps so that you can navigate stress-free.
Such a great app to book transportation. It will give you all the ways to get to your next destination from flights, ferries, buses, trains and rideshares. I love it because it makes comparing your options so simple which saves time and is so helpful when figuring out the logistics.
The best place to book hostels. You can read reviews from others travels and filter by amenities, price, location, etc. They also have a social feature on the app so you can message other travellers who will be staying at your hostel, so you can meet people before you even arrive! I recommend having the app so you have all your bookings easily accessible on your phone.
A great place to book tours and experiences. I love booking guided tours because other than booking the tour there is nothing to plan and they are usually so fun. A bonus because you can meet other people!
Tips to Simplify Planning as a Solo Traveler
Set Limits on Research Time
When you’re planning a trip (especially a long one) it’s easy to fall down the rabbit hole of research. There are endless decisions to make- places to go, things to see, places to eat…and honestly so many of them are great options! Don’t waste your time going back and forth for hours. Give yourself a time limit boundary to prevent over researching which will ultimately lead you to feeling doubtful you booked the ‘right’ thing. Whatever you choose will lead to a great experience. Trust your decision making skills and be confident because there is no ‘perfect’ decision out there.
Choose Your Non-Negotiables First
Plan around your non-negotiables! Make sure you give yourself the time to do things you really want to do before you overplan your schedule. I usually pick most of my non-negotiables before I leave for my trip so I have a rough idea of how long I want to be in each city. That way my trip is based around my priorities.
Ask for Rec’s Instead of Doing it Yourself
Just because you’re travelling solo doesn’t mean you’re alone! You will meet people on your travels who may tell you about something you’ve never heard of. Which is another reason not to plan too much ahead- you always find out about new things to do after you arrive. Ask the hostel staff, people in your hostel and locals any spots you should check out.
Build in ‘No-plan’ Days
Give yourself days to rest. When you are travelling long-term it isn’t just a vacation, it is your life. So don’t forget we all need a day off every now and then. Be sure to leave room to wander, rest and let yourself figure out new plans as you go. It’s easy to feel guilty you aren’t doing enough if you are used to short-term travel based on jam-packed itineraries! It’s helpful to remember even if you aren’t ‘doing something’ just being out in a new environment and culture will give you new insights on the world.
Final Thoughts
If you are feeling burnt out while solo-travelling you aren’t alone. Planning shouldn’t feel like work, it should feel fun and exciting so if it’s not, evaluate your planning strategy. Keep it simple and flexible. It’s always better to underplan than overplan. Pick a few non-negotiables and plan your days around them. But, always leave room for spontaneity. And just because you are solo doesn’t mean you’re alone! Ask for recommendations from other travellers, locals, or hostel staff. And seriously use the travel tools I mentioned! I swear they will make your journey way smoother. Your goal should be to plan stress-free so you have more energy to actually enjoy your journey. I wish you the best of luck and if you have any great planning tips I’d love to hear them in the comments!
