It’s time to normalize solo traveling
Hey Freaking Nomads,
I still remember my first solo trips vividly.
Singapore....Belgrade....Budapest....Cape Verde...
I booked those flights on impulse, and I had no idea what I was getting into.
I really didn't know what to expect.
No travel buddy or partner to share the airport coffee with, no one to split the Uber or argue over where to eat. Just me, my backpack, and a long list of unknowns.
And honestly? It was stressful.
Figuring out public transport in a new language. Eating dinner alone while pretending to look busy on my phone. Forcing myself to talk to strangers when every part of me wanted to stay quiet.
As an introvert, solo travel wasn’t just uncomfortable...it felt unnatural.
But it was also transformative.
Because somewhere between getting lost in crowded Belgrade's river clubs on a boat (yes, they do that in summer! They are called “splavovi”) and walking along those massive stretches of sand in Sal, Cape Verde, something changed.
I learned to trust myself.
To ask for help.
To start conversations without waiting for an invitation.
To walk into a café alone and still feel like I belonged there.
And you know what’s funny?
Those solo trips didn’t make me lonely. They made me more connected than ever.
I met people I still talk to today. Some of them I’ve run into again by complete coincidence in other countries, years later. It’s almost like solo travel opens this invisible door that makes the world a bit smaller, and friendships a bit easier to start.
That’s why I think we need to normalize solo traveling.
Because too often, people think it’s something you do only when you can’t find anyone to go with. But it’s not a backup plan, it’s an act of courage.
It’s choosing to experience the world on your own terms, to make your own decisions, and to find comfort in your own company.
Yes, it can be awkward at first.
Yes, you’ll have moments where you wish someone were there to share it with.
But you’ll also realize that traveling solo doesn’t mean being alone. It means being open to people, to places, to yourself.
So if you’ve been waiting for the “right time”, “right partner”, or “the right travel buddy” before booking that next trip… here’s your sign.
Book it anyway and go nomad, all by yourself.
You might just find the best company you’ve ever had: your own.
See you somewhere out there,
Luca
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Who is hiring this week? Here are some top roles to check out:
🧑💻 Nomad Resource of the Week
If you’ve ever traveled around Southeast Asia, you’ve probably heard of Agoda. And if you haven’t used it yet, you’re seriously missing out!
I started using Agoda years ago when hopping between Thailand and Vietnam, and it’s still the first app I open when I need a place to crash for a few nights. It consistently shows cheaper stays than Booking.com or Airbnb, especially for those small local guesthouses that never bother listing anywhere else.
Why I keep going back to it:
- Cheaper stays, especially in Southeast Asia!
- Tons of local listings you won’t find on other platforms
- Fast and easy to filter by Wi-Fi speed, price or reviews
- Reward credits that actually add up over time!
That's a good booking platform to add to your travel planning tools for this winter if you haven't used it before (you can thank us later).
Check out more travel-friendly tools in our full gear guide or browse all our recommended resources.
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We'll see you there, Freaking Nomads 👋
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