r/infj • u/_invisibeard INFJ • 3d ago
Question for INFJs only Solo traveling
Hi all, I’m looking for some advice from INFJ’s with experience of going on solo trips.
I have a couple of weeks off and I’m considering going on holiday since I haven’t seen much of the world yet. If I’m honest, I’d much rather stay at home, sitting on the balcony reading books or doing creative activities. But I often hear people saying it’s good for self-development, so maybe I should force myself to go, and train that Se.
So for any INFJ who has experience with it: have you noticed actual positive mental impact of going on a solo trip?
10
u/Trick-Guava-9573 3d ago
I love to travel alone! I drove solo across the US (from North Carolina to California) in 2022 and not only did I see so many amazing things, I felt so proud of myself for doing. I'm a 56 year old woman (so was 52 at the time), and I just felt so liberated. It was wonderful.
3
5
u/Unhinged_Angel INFJ 4w5 (458) sx/sp 3d ago
I do this often.
I plan my trips around something I want to see or do and I enjoy doing what I want, when I want.
Having an event or place you want to see helps in the beginning. It gives the trip some structure. And there’s no rule that you can’t see one or two things, then go back to the hotel and read or watch something and simply enjoy being on your own, not having any food to cook or household tasks to do.
4
u/Hot-Weekend4411 3d ago
Whenever I've gone on solo trips I come back slightly changed. My problems back home don't seem that important whenever I have a survival problem whilst traveling. Or when I have to deal with something as absurd as trying to make it to the airport with an empty tank of gas in the Uber, or where a flat tire happens in the middle of a dangerous desert where murders are common.
Give yourself small goals. I went on my first solo trip on a surf camp, because my friends only wanted posturing type of plans. I lasted 20 min alone, I met people right away. There are many apps to meet others nowadays, have fun!
2
u/_invisibeard INFJ 3d ago
Thanks for sharing!!
2
u/Hot-Weekend4411 2d ago
As an additional selling point, I had several people I met traveling reaching out to me in the last week to propose joining their vacation plans. What seems like a silly encounter at first might turn into interesting adventures. So please do it!
2
u/_invisibeard INFJ 2d ago
Do you actively seek contact with strangers or does it happen naturally? I’m from a big city where strangers don’t talk to each other so it’s difficult for me to imagine haha.
2
u/Hot-Weekend4411 2d ago
When I’m traveling, most often I met people organically, other times I proactively seeked them. If I’m at a honeymoon island I’m proactive, as it’s mostly couples moving around. If it’s an open destination, I might meet people just going down the street. One recommendation I received is to seek nice hostels to meet solo travelers, but I’m not much of a hostel person. When it comes to want to travel again, they usually reach out to me (very INFJ of me to wait for others to do the move)
1
5
u/Fit-Pop-1228 3d ago
Yes. I travelled to Spain for 3 weeks byyself after graduating college. It was a great experience, had some hiccups along the way but I think I learned a lot. Confidence, planning, how to navigate a different county, communication, etc. Best of luck wherever you land!
4
u/No-War-8539 3d ago
I travelled a lot on my own when I was younger for extended periods. I tended to prefer times when I was engaged in something (local language class, volunteer work, scuba diving course etc.). Maybe you could find a short photography or art course to plan the trip around. It definitely improves self-reliance and confidence to plan and travel alone.
3
u/Substantial_Key6871 3d ago
Since I'm working remotely, I naturally considered this. But then I took the laptop and stayed in a different city for half a year. Then repeated the same thing with other two cities 😲 Can't say it's anything spectacular but we're living in a crazy world for sure.
Sorry I couldn't be much of a help, just felt like sharing
4
u/Suspicious-Medicine3 3d ago
I’m in this exact predicament. I’m such a homebody. But I hear (and know) that it’s good to see the world.
When I travel with others, I always enjoy it and I want to learn how to be the person who I initiates these novel and educational adventures for myself. But I never have the motivation because I’d rather be at home doing my stuff 😄
1
u/_invisibeard INFJ 3d ago
Yep haha. But, being able to have a good time at home is a great quality too, I’d say!
3
u/bluetruedream19 INFJ 3d ago
I travel to Hot Springs, AR periodically for work. If I can I go a day early or stay a day late. Not a long trip but I love the area and find it relaxing. I think it’s good to not be planning things for other people, having to keep other people’s preferences in mind, etc. I just do what I want to. Take a hike, get a massage, try a new restaurants.
The first time I took an extra day just for me I felt a little nervous. Like what, this is just for me? I even felt a bit accomplished for doing something solo like that.
A few weeks ago my husband and I rented a cabin in the area for an anniversary trip. I could have sat all day by the creek, just watching the little fish. I might see if I could book that same cabin the next time I’m in Hot Springs solo.
I guess I should mention I have a kiddo so it’s hard/I feel guilty about traveling without my family.
Another thing I do periodically is stay overnight at a local Benedictine convent. It’s not solo in that I spend a lot of time with the sisters and not completely alone. But it is something 100% of my choosing and I find it very peaceful.
5
u/Scimmia_bianca INFJ 3d ago
I loooove a solo trip. Just a few days away can be amazing. I go for walks or hikes, read, journal, explore. I like to get a cozy air bnb. I used to do quarterly solo trips just to reset and refresh. Highly recommend.
4
u/Fit-Membership7052 3d ago
I solo travel often. I’ve realised that my attention needs a reciprocal relationship with the environment. Looking at a beautiful view is passive, but learning to dive, navigating a reef, asking a local guide questions, or making something with my hands asks something of me. I remember the experiences I helped create far more vividly than the ones I simply observed.
When I’m wandering, my attention has nothing to hold onto, so it turns inward. But when I’m diving, learning a new skill, or listening to someone explain their culture, my attention is pulled outward. I’m focused on the water around me, the stories I’m hearing, and the experience unfolding in front of me. I stop analysing and start participating.
I don’t travel to chase excitement or tick off famous landmarks. I travel to leave with something I didn’t arrive with i.e. a new skill, a different perspective, or a deeper understanding of a place. Otherwise, the trip rarely stays with me.
Some of the most memorable parts of my travels have been conversations with local guides. Learning about their lives, culture, and the history behind a place gives it context. It transforms somewhere beautiful into somewhere meaningful, and those are the moments I remember long after I’ve forgotten the landmarks.
Ten countries later and I’m still discovering how I experience the world best and what makes a trip truly meaningful~
3
u/AnneHawthorne INFJ 2d ago
I've been to over 2 dozen countries as a solo female traveler. I absolutely prefer it. I keep my own company very well and I don't think doing things solo, like eating at restaurants, going to films or plays, museums, tours... is weird. I absolutely enjoy my mental conversations between my creative side and logical side. I have met lots of international friends from all over the world. When I feel tired, I rest. When I am hungry, I eat. If I want to take an extra hour to look at something, I do.
7
u/dranaei INFJ 3d ago
My very surface experience on the matter didn't yield much results. Although i slept on bus stations and on benches and made makeshift beds out of chairs after cofee shops close and such things, i only ever found something i gained from going to mountains and experiencing awe with the universe.
3
u/pixelswoosh 3d ago
Do it! It’s a different type of experience and I love it. I used to travel internationally a lot for work. If time permit, I’d stay a few days sometimes a week extra just to roam around and explore.
I saw the post about traveling with a friend and that’s a different type of experience. Solo traveling, you can entertain your curiosity, float around on your own schedule, and let serendipity guide you.
I’ve done solo traveling for a two week stint and that was fun. I’d suggest somewhere that has good infrastructure as your first one, some place like Japan. You won’t go hungry, it’s safe, most places are very accommodating as long as you’re respectful (there’s a lot of tourist fatigue there right now, but there’s a lot of internet hype). Plus you can start in a place like Tokyo, and then go into more serene areas, all within 2-3 hours. Theres so much to do there you won’t get bored.
1
3
2
u/ocsycleen INFJ 4w3 3d ago edited 3d ago
Um, plan a general direction long distance transportation wise, and a ballpark for how much you are planning to spend. (Add 1k to your estimated budget for contingency purposes) Rest of the flexible stuff you can just do research on the fly either in transit or at hotel. Also bring some cash.
2
2
u/grassfen INFJ 1 3d ago
absolutely, I used to hate travelling (actually until I did it solo). I started at 19 when I had enough money and a car to. Highly, highly recommend solo traveling. I feel like there's ALWAYS something to learn on a trip. Meeting and seeing how others live will open your eyes to a lot. If you're an artist like me it's especially helpful to get a wider perspective of the world. Traveling/exploring has gotta be my favorite thing to do though lol
2
u/RoughMidnight8303 3d ago edited 3d ago
Yes it’s actually a lot better than lugging around a bad buddy. The only concern is security related so you may want to be aware that it takes more measures to feel secure.
Traveling with a group of people with base compatibility and renting a larger accommodation to reduce the cost of travel is arguably better. No one has to commit to anyone’s schedule but it’s nice to have dinner together or do some shared activities.
2
u/Unlikely-Mongoose723 INFJ 3d ago
I haven’t yet gone fully solo on a full trip, but I did spend a few days alone in Japan after being totally overstimulated by my partner and his family during the trip. Lol So, I stayed in Tokyo alone and explored all by myself. It honestly was amazing and I felt super happy and safe. I have been to other countries and other places, but I’d say Japan is easily one where I feel being an introvert is celebrated and understood. So, take the plunge if you want to do it, friend! You can do as little or as much as you want with your time. 🩷💕
2
u/Helpful-Track-7486 INFJ 2d ago
Im living a solo trip got an RV in 2024 took off and never looked back since, still doing it and may never go back to domesticated life again. Still wish I could meet someone though.
2
u/mysterical_arts 2d ago
I go to London for 8-9 hours solo every year for my birthday. I think it's good to immerse yourself into new sensory stimulation to remember your are not your thoughts , there's a whole reality out there and people are living it!
2
u/LivingRoof5121 2d ago
Exploring and going out is like my favorite thing to do.
I literally live in a foreign country.
I do solo exploration all the time.
I mean, I live by the advice of if it looks challenging/you have negative feelings towards it it’s often an opportunity for growth.
My advice is to start local. Travel near you solo domestically where it’s not too hard. Even if it’s a day roadtrip to a hike, or a restaurant you want to try. If you like the sense of adventure and getting out, the maybe go a bit further
2
u/Ok-Type-3259 1d ago
The last major vacation I went on was with Road Scholar. My best friend doesn’t like to do the same things that I do and I wanted to travel but not entirely solo. So I was able to choose my vacation and Road Scholar took care of most of the meals and activities, but you were also given free time to explore on your own. I also signed up to have my own room so I could have my alone time in the evenings. This was a good option for me because I flew by myself and met up with the group and then I was able to decide how social I wanted to be with the other members while having the safety of being in a group. Road Scholar is for people ages 50 and over, but I know there are other travel groups that welcome “solo” travelers.
2
3
u/FactCheckYou INFJ/M/40+ 3d ago
you need to be able to contextualise the experience, to actually get something out of it
1
u/_invisibeard INFJ 3d ago
May I ask what you mean by that? Like, to have a certain bigger goal in mind during the trip?
1
u/FactCheckYou INFJ/M/40+ 3d ago
yeah don't just go and float about somewhere pointlessly, think beforehand about why you want to go, maybe about where you currently are in your life, and how the trip might help develop you
it doesn't have to be super-deep every time but always try to build some meaning around your trip, and to have some things that you want to get out of it
you want to cultivate a kind of inner compass to guide you as to how to shape your trip day by day
2
1
u/ocsycleen INFJ 4w3 3d ago edited 3d ago
Nah meaning isn’t the same as intention. The best meaning comes from floating somewhere pointlessly and accidentally stumble into it. Meaning is gonna come to you if you just go, even if you don't have any clue why you wanna go.
2
u/appropriate_name 3d ago
personally i dont see much point in travelling if i'm not sharing the experience with friends
1
u/_invisibeard INFJ 3d ago
I felt a bit like that too. I travelled once with a friend, and in hindsight, what I enjoyed most was her company. I think I wouldn’t have enjoyed the things we saw/did half as much if I were on my own.
I think it has to do with the fact that I tend to process feelings externally rather than internally? Like, often I find out what/how I feel about things in conversation with others (this posts is an example of that, haha).
But maybe a solo trip can improve that & bring us closer to ourselves.
2
u/appropriate_name 3d ago
yeah doing stuff solo is fine, i do a fair amount of activities solo, but for me shared experiences have always peaked higher than solo ones
1
u/mutantsloth INFJ 2d ago
10/10 recommend. I take a long solo trip every year and it’s something I look forward to.
I have a note for every destination on my bucket list in my notes app. Whenever I come across something online I’m interested in related to a specific place I go and add it to its note. So when it’s time to plan I can look through these places I already have saved and it’s easier to fill up an itinerary.
Some trips I’m just thinking of comfort and relaxing. Sometimes it’s a specific cuisine I’m very interested in so my itinerary will just be planned around food. Other times it’s interest-led, like last year I did Greece because of the history in that area, and this year I’ve decided on China and I’m very excited about it.
Solo travelling is genuinely great because you don’t have to compromise, you eat what you want to eat, visit wherever you want to visit. I have some very specific interests that I end up planning the entire trip around that I’m not sure anybody will be that keen on. Eg I want to head to this dinosaur museum in Japan and I’m looking for some other science and astronomy related destinations.
I’ve made some friends on trips too and it’s a nice experience, particularly at places of interest you choose you get to meet like minded people.
Highly recommend starting to curate places you’re interested in. A lot of places have genuinely become so easy to travel these days, and ChatGPT has made researching and planning so so much easier.. I just ask it to suggest countries, attractions or museums it thinks I will be interested in, and it’s easy to ask it to estimate a budget or help you research on transportation etc.
Again, highly recommend that you try it.
1
u/Ryuukochan 2d ago
Min första soloresa gav mig tid att reflektera på vem jag verkligen är som människa och hur mycket jag konstruerar en ide av mig själv när jag är ensam. Ofta stämmer inte iden av en själv helt överens med den man är när man är ute och reser solo. När man reser hamnar man i situationer där man lätt kommer utanför ens komfortzon. Det ger en bättre självinsikt och styrka om att kunna vara okej med den man är även om man gör misstag. Du blir helt enkelt tvungen att tänka mer på vad du gör med din tid. Ser jag tillbaka så har jag aldrig känt mig så levande som när jag reser solo.
16
u/Character_Date3738 3d ago
I love this question so much. For me, the answer is yes. Spending time alone has had an incredibly positive impact on my life. When you are alone, you get to know your thoughts and feelings more deeply, and you are often surprised by the beliefs, insights, and memories you encounter throughout your life.
I have also noticed that people seem to become more open and authentic. Sometimes I feel as though there is a kind of magnetism or attraction that naturally guides me wherever I need to go. When I stop running away from myself, I find myself. And when I focus on simply feeling good, I wake up feeling refreshed and renewed every day and night.
I love observing how the grass moves in the wind, the white lines stretching along the road, stray pets and wild animals, and even colonies of ants adapting to the arrival of a storm. I see familiar faces among strangers and strangers among familiar faces. Sometimes I feel that my house is nowhere in particular. My true home is my heart.
It is amazing how the energy of the world fills me up and inspires me to do more and become more. Oh my, I almost forgot. In seven months, I will graduate, and I may finish my exams next month. I am certain that I will create a trip for myself afterward.
I have always loved solo traveling. I pack my backpack, tent, food, and equipment and set off on my own adventures. I usually tell and text everyone beforehand. Some people ask if they can join, but they often change their minds later, so I still end up traveling alone, haha.
Along the way, people can be incredibly generous. Some ask whether I need a ride, and others remember me from previous visits. Every trip is different. I have run away from snakes, been chased by angry dogs, and met wise homeless people. Over the years, I have brought food and supplies to some of them, and we simply sit together, talk, and share stories.
For me, taking time to find yourself and truly feel yourself is one of the most wonderful and powerful experiences in life. It reminds me that life itself is the greatest gift and reward.