I’m a solo traveler – here’s the reality of it

• Jenny Chevry, from Florida, has been working around her 9 to 5 job in HR
• She has been ticking places off her bucket list – and has now visited 48 countries
• But the 37-year-old has dished that travelling solo is not for the faint-hearted 

A solo traveler has revealed the harsh realities of life as a lone female globetrotter. 

Jenny Chevry, from Florida, has been working around her 9 to 5 corporate job in HR to explore the world for the last seven years.

Ticking places off her bucket list, including the likes of Estonia and El Salvador, she has visited 48 countries and has seen hundreds of awe-inspiring sights.

But the 37-year-old has dished that travelling solo is not for the faint-hearted and comes with its own set of dangerous challenges.

‘I nearly fell victim to a possible abduction or human trafficking in Budapest back in 2019,’ Jenny candidly divulged.

‘It was one of the scariest moments of my life but I made sure I made enough noise to attract attention and asked for help.’

To keep herself safe, Jenny has since created a list of dos and don’ts.

She said, ‘My ultimate rules are: I don’t go out drinking, and if I do go out at night, I have just one drink, which I don’t take my eyes off of.

‘I don’t tell people where I’m staying, or that I’m alone.

‘I try to memorize the map before I leave a place, so I’m not glued to my phone, and I’m able to watch around me.

‘And I share my iPhone location with my family, so they are able to track me in case of an emergency.’

The travel buff, who documents her experiences on her Instagram account @poorlittlenomad, says being self-sufficient is rewarding but that it comes at a cost.

‘I get to be as selfish as I want to be. I don’t have to compromise or accommodate anyone,’ Jenny shared.

‘Travelling alone also helped me become more self-reliant and confident as I navigate new environments.

‘I’m usually an introvert – when I travel you wouldn’t guess how antisocial I really am.

‘But it’s expensive. Travel packages often assume double occupancy, so solo travelers miss out on discounts designed for pairs or groups.

‘I was in Guatemala last weekend and wanted to sign up for a cooking class but was not able to because there needed to be two guests in order to sign up.

‘I tried to signed up for a volcano tour in Nicaragua and the cost was $45 per person, however, when I signed up, they charged me $90, although I was alone.

‘There’s so many things I would have loved to have done but had to pass on.’

Jenny started travelling solo after falling out with a close friend on a trip.

She said: ‘Seven years ago, I went on my first adult international trip with a close friend and it ended up being a disaster.

‘I found the hard way that there are people you cannot travel with, no matter how close you are.

‘My friend and I stopped being friends after that trip and since then I’ve always preferred travelling on my own.

‘I don’t have to worry about anyone else but myself.’

Jenny says always being the organizer can also get tiring, adding: ‘I like the planning part of travelling – booking the accommodations and activities.

‘But people who’ve travelled solo long enough know it can be exhausting making all the decisions – big or small, from where to eat to how to handle unexpected situations.

‘I’ve had hotels or Airbnbs cancel my reservation at the very last minute, and I’ve had to figure out an alternative solution on my own.

‘Sometimes it’s nice to have someone else take charge once in a while.

‘It is also nice to have friends you can share your excitement with.’

People online have rallied around Jenny, thanking her for sharing the harsh realities of travelling solo when it’s so glamourized online.

‘Loneliness is my biggest fear. Plus when I travel solo, I miss my husband so much,’ commented Kristy.

A fellow solo traveler said: ‘All of these are exactly what I feel when I travel solo. I love it but can’t overlook some of the downsides.’

Another quipped: ‘Sooo true. And not being able to split the cost of a hotel room with someone.’

‘Decision fatigue – I already know it in everyday life… and then a nice trip quickly turns into something too exhausting,’ someone else shared.

‘Hard truth girl! This is all on point! Thanks for sharing!’ added another traveler.

Jenny added: ‘I didn’t expect so many people to be receptive to my content, and relate so much to the ugly truths about solo travelling.

‘It seems like we all share the same feelings. Although we love it, it also has its challenges. 

‘It certainly isn’t for everyone but I would rather travel solo than not see the world at all.’