Loneliness - The biggest enemy of digital nomads
It’s no secret that traveling solo can be a lonely experience sometimes.
If you ask any experienced digital nomad, they will tell you that after a while they experienced something called “travel burnout” because they move too fast or they become lonely. In fact, loneliness is the number one problem most remote workers face hence the explosion of Facebook groups and online communities where people from all over the world come together to meet, socialize and network.
When you travel too much and are far away from the circles of friends you have created around the globe, in different cities, and on multiple continents, or you are not close to your family, every day feels like an uphill battle to make connections, and then loneliness can quickly set in.
Travel loneliness is real and can be triggered by a variety of things, such as being alone in a new place, isolation from friends and family, or simply not having anyone familiar to talk to.
But it doesn’t have to be this way! There are plenty of ways to make friends and find things to do and entertain yourself when traveling alone.
Here are some tips to help you make friends, connect with others while traveling solo or have a great time in your own company wherever you are!
1. Start exploring the city - cafes, bars, museums
One of the best ways to meet new people when you are traveling is by going to cafes and museums. These are great places to socialize and meet new friends.
Museums are great places to meet people because they are usually quiet and you can have a conversation without having to raise your voice. In addition, most museums have a café or a restaurant where you can meet people over a cup of coffee or a meal. And finally, most museums have exhibitions that attract different types of people so it’s a great place to meet someone who shares your interests.
You can also meet people in bars, but be careful not to drink too much otherwise you won’t be able to relate to anyone and in some countries you might even get yourself into trouble. Look up the top-rated bars on Google Reviews and other apps on your mobile phone and go for the trendy bars in your current city. You know the drill afterward 🙂
2. join an expat group.
One great way to make friends when traveling solo is to join an expat group. These groups are typically made up of people who have left their home country and are now living in a new city or country. They can be a great source of support and camaraderie, and often have a lot of activities and events planned.
To find an expat group in your area, try searching online for local forums or groups, or contacting your local tourist board. You can also meet people through social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter.
Here are a few groups and websites where you can meet travelers online so then you can see them in person too and enjoy time with them:
- Nomadlist – search by city
- Facebook Groups – search in Facebook “city” + “group”
- Meetup.com
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3. Join a coliving space
Living with other people can be a great way to make friends and connect with others. When you live in a shared space, you have the opportunity to get to know people on a deeper level and form meaningful relationships and even professional connections.
When looking for a living situation, it’s important to consider your budget, location, and lifestyle preferences. It’s also important to be honest about your personality and what you’re looking for in a roommate or housemate.
Nevertheless, there are a number of ways to find a living situation that’s right for you. Look up rooms on AirBnB or accommodation on coliving search engines like Coliving.com through thousands of shared living around the globe.
Coliving is the new hot trend amongst Millenials and Gen-Zs due to the access to their exclusive communities and the flexibility they offer. Usually, the contractual commitments are short (a few months to one year) and facilities and bills are included so again, very convenient. We have a great article explaining what coliving is and also a review of the best coliving spaces in the world here.
If want to go to places like Bali and don’t plan to live alone because you get anxious quickly, you can post an announcement on dedicated Facebook groups like this one and find people to live with in relatively cheap villas.
4. Sign Up For Workations and Remote Years
A workation is an out-of-office experience that encompasses both work time and leisure. It combines your typical 9 am to 5 pm job with some additional free days where you can do whatever takes your fancy – whether this means working on projects at home or taking trips around the world!
The idea behind the term was first introduced by arranging meetings during vacation periods allowing team members who are geographically distant from each other to communicate more efficiently without having any interruption in service due to travel distances.
Now, this term has entered the mainstream and has become an industry on its own, where people from all over the world with similar hobbies or careers meet in hand-picked places around the world to work together on projects or grow together. Not only that you won’t feel lonely, but most of the timestime, friendships forged there will last foworkstationlifetimetime or who knows, maybe you’ll meet your next co-founder in one of these camps. Make sure to check the workations offers from Remote Year or Hacker Paradise. Have a look at this comprehensive article we wrote about the best workations you can find at the moment.
5. Surfing Camps
Joining a surfing camp is yet another way to beat anxiety and loneliness, hands down. We promise that after a few days of surfing with the group, you won’t feel alone at all not for everyone unless you like water, sand, and the beach.
If your physical shape allows it and you are more of an adventurous type, then we’d recommend this fun activity as an escape from daily life into nature’s embrace where one can meet more laid-back people, and sharing positive vibes.
People are usually laid back in these camps or coliving spaces so it will be very easy to open up conversations and get to know people. Moreover, these camps organize parties and nights out with the group so it will be almost impossible not to socialize and network.
Here are a few places where you can find cool surf camps around the world:
6. Join a Coworking Space in your city
Co-working spaces are another solid option to expand your network and maybe meet amazing people. Co-working is very popular amongst digital nomads because it offers all the benefits of working from home or from the road, but with some major advantages.
That’s why many people are turning to co-working spaces as an alternative. Co-working spaces offer all the benefits of remote work, plus a few extra perks.
Most of the co-working spaces organize social and networking events like drinks, and keynote sessions or they bring special guests to talk about different professional topics. This is a great way to avoid loneliness and meet like-minded individuals.
7. Learn a new skill
Learning a new skill can be extremely beneficial to your overall development as a person. It can also be a great way to keep yourself busy and spend quality time alone. There are many ways to learn a new skill, so research what interests you and find out one that you might enjoy. This will make the learning process much easier and more enjoyable.
Want a social environment to learn a new skill? Then look for a teacher or group class. This will provide you with the necessary support and guidance to learn the skill properly and also avoid being lonely when you are in a new city.
Some examples of new skills to learn include: cooking, web development, and photography, music, dancing – Buenos Aires anyone? Writing – why not try learning Kanji whilst in Japan? These are just a few suggestions, so be sure to explore and find the skill that best interests you.
Here is a nice list of skills that you could also monetize whilst you travel.
8. Free walking tours
There’s no better way to see a new city than on foot, especially when you travel slow, like a true digital nomad. Walking tours allow travelers to explore at their own pace, stopping to take pictures and talk to locals as they go. What’s more, walking tours are the perfect way to meet people from all over the world. In today’s digital age, it can be tough to really connect with other humans.
But on a walking tour, there’s no escaping conversation – and that’s a good thing!
From learning about local history and culture to making new friends, walking tours are the best way to do sightseeing in a new city. So what are you waiting for?
A good place to start walking cities is by looking at these free walking tour websites. There are a lot of FREE walking tours so watch out for those ones. It is recommended to leave a tip at the end if you enjoyed the tour so the guide can have a roof over his or her head 🙂
9. Dating Apps
If you’re like most people, you probably think of Tinder as a tool for finding dates. And while it is certainly great for that purpose, it’s also a fantastic way to socialize and make new friends.
Whether you’re traveling and want to meet people from around the world, or simply looking to expand your social circle, Tinder is a great option. Don’t be shy and open the app when you land at your next destination and start chatting. You’d be surprised, but I’ve personally met a lot of nice people through Tinder and I am still in touch with some of them. It’s hard to find someone compatible on the romantic side, however, if you feel like you’ve got things in common, why not stay in touch?
With over 50 million users, there’s sure to be someone whose interests align with yours. So what are you waiting for? Give Tinder a chance to create friendships.
10. Sailing
Think sailing is only for the rich? You couldn’t be more wrong! Renting sailboats is now more affordable than ever, and there are plenty of ways to get started sailing today.
Whether you’re looking for a short period to learn the ropes or want to explore the world someday, sailing is a great way to do it. The sailing community is very strong and once you join a group of sailors you might end up with eternal friends.
If you want to start sailing , you can follow a course with a RYA accredited school and get your skipper permit in a few weeks. If you just want to learn the super basics, then literally go into a marina and ask yacht owners if they need any crew. They will usually pay for most expenses but you will have to do the work in exchange.
So what are you waiting for? Get out on the water today!
11. Dancing Classes
Solo travel doesn’t have to be lonely after all. Another great way to deal with it when traveling is to meet new people and have some fun by joining a dancing class. This is a great hobby for people who want to live their life to the fullest and socialize.
People of all ages, professions, and cultures join dancing classes to stay fit or meet interesting people.
Here are some tips on how to find and join a great dancing class:
- Ask around. Talk to the locals or ask on the local online forums for any good classes in your area.
- Look online. A quick Google search will reveal plenty of options for dancing classes in your area. Make sure to read the reviews on Google or trip advisor and see what classes they offer and how social they are.
12. Find hobbies you enjoy doing alone
Are you feeling lonely and single? You may be surprised to learn that indulging in hobbies can make you happier and offer you the chance to socialize. Contrary to what many people believe, being single doesn’t have to be a bad thing.
There are plenty of opportunities for self-growth and happiness available to those who are willing to look for them.
Don’t let loneliness get you down; get out there and start exploring! Hobbies can provide a great way for singles to connect with others who share their interests, and they can also help promote a positive outlook on life.
So don’t wait any longer; find something that interests you and give it a go! Who knows – you may just find your new passion in life.
13. Befriend your host and get into their circles
If you’re lucky, your Airbnb host will be a great resource for exploring the city you’re visiting. Not only can they provide helpful tips and advice, but they may also be up for joining you for a night out on the town. Or they could call you out in town when partying with their friends hence a fantastic way to beat loneliness while traveling.
If the chemistry is right, you might even stay in touch with the host for a long time and return to their home for even a better price.
14. Meditation and self-improvement retreats
Travelling doesn’t need to be lonely. Amongst the options, we listed above, there is another one that is both practical and also extremely rewarding.
Meditation and self-improvement retreats can help you learn new techniques to improve your mental wellbeing. They usually provide a break from the daily grind and allow you to focus on your growth and development.
Because the sessions are charged with positive vibes and everyone opens up and is relaxed, it’s very easy to meet and empathize with other people in the retreat. Usually, retreats often offer a supportive community of like-minded people who can help you achieve your goals.
Make sure you stay open and contribute to the conversations and your loneliness will be a thing of the past.
Summary and final thoughts
Solo travel doesn’t have to be lonely. In fact, it can be a great opportunity to meet new people and make friends from all over the world. If you’re feeling lonely, don’t despair – there are plenty of things you can do to connect with others and fight off those feelings of isolation. From online communities to dancing classes and retreats, we’ve shared a wealth of tips in this article that will help keep you social and connected while traveling solo. So get out there, use them all and improve your happiness! Safe travels!
