What Is An Introverted Traveler?

I am an Introverted Traveler. For a long time, probably since middle school...or maybe even lower school, I’ve known that I was quieter in group settings. I could tell that I was different because I wasn’t always as sociable as my peers. I never felt bad about it; just could observe the difference. I can’t exactly recall when I learned about introverts and extroverts but I remember being relieved. It made such sense. I finally had an answer for why I was not always up for going out all the time and staying up late with friends. Do you remember when you learned that you were an introvert or extrovert?

>>Related reading: How to Travel as an Introvert <<

The Common Myth About the Introverted Traveler

There’s a common misconception that being an introvert automatically means that you’re shy or not confident. When I tell someone I’m an introvert, they often are surprised and say, no, that can’t be. That’s because the idea of shyness is often associated with introversion. And I’m not a shy person. I don’t fear people or social situations. I don’t have a low self esteem.

I just can’t spend prolonged periods of time interacting with other people. Thus, it usually confuses people - typically extroverted people. Being an introvert does not automatically mean someone is shy. Yes, there may be introverts who are shy, but they are not necessarily correlated.

Being an introvert does not mean you are insecure; nor does it mean that you hate being around people. (Although sometimes you might!) I love meeting new people and finding out where they are from - especially when I travel. Traveling makes the whole world feel so big and so small at the same time. When traveling, there’s always the magical chance of meeting new people - maybe your new friend, your soulmate, or your new travel buddy.

Some of my fondest travel memories include befriending a traveling nomad or a local and exploring a city together for the day. Being an introvert just means that I will likely need some alone time after spending the day with a new travel colleague...or even a long-time friend.

Girl Looking at Scenic Lookout - The Jet Set Blonde

The Energy of an Introverted Traveler

To be an introvert means that the energy that comes from being around people, makes you tired. Conversely, an extrovert gets energized when around people - they feed off of that energy.

Simply put, if I’m around people, it will draw on my energy. Eventually, I will become exhausted and will need to retire to have some alone time and recoup. For some, time alone equals boredom and is a death wish of sort. But for introverts such as myself, alone time is a coveted thing that I look forward to! It’s a time for me to just sit with my thoughts and do whatever I feel like in that moment.

If I know that I will be around a lot of people, I have to mentally prepared for it. If I’m mentally prepared, I can come across as quite sociable for the duration of the event or party. But that’s because I knew what to expect and how long I have to be “on.”

I especially have to mentally prepare for getting out of the hotel when I’m in a foreign country. Not only am I usually fighting jet lag, the language barrier can make getting around and communicating more complicated and more tiring in general. Sometimes just the thought of leaving the hotel room is enough to exhaust me!

But I’m passionate about travel, and I don’t let that feeling of exhaustion or anxiety overcome me. I have found that preparation is key - arm yourself with a plan before you leave the hotel for the day. Map out your journey so you have a general idea of what you can expect for that day.

Side note…

Have any of you been traveling in a foreign country by yourself and found that picking a meal is such a hard choice? Oh man - it can be so frustrating for me. I like to eat well and I like to eat local, but I also don’t like to go places where I can’t figure out the menu. I often don’t want to try and talk a lot with the waiter or waitress. When mealtime rolls around, I struggle to find an authentically good, local place that is also somewhat English friendly enough. I try to stay away from the global chains when it comes to mealtime because I want that cultural experience. Sometimes I’ll end up walking all over before I can pick a place I’m happy with. Can anyone relate? #IntrovertProblems

(Starbucks doesn’t count, by the way. It’s my happy place all over the world.) :)

The Solo Female Introverted Traveler

Frankly, I love being an introvert; I’m proud of it. It’s not a handicap or anything to be pitied; rather it’s a characteristic. For me, it has actually helped be to be a better solo female traveler because I’m an introvert.

Why? I’ll tell you...

If you are traveling solo, you have a LOT of time by yourself - to think, to work, to rest, to enjoy your hobbies. When I travel by myself, I can do exactly what I want without checking in with anyone else. Blissful freedom. I can be with my own thoughts (which I actually enjoy!) I can endure full days of travel without needing extra time to retreat (this is one of the reasons I don’t do well in large group travel scenarios.)

>> Related reading: How to Travel as an Introvert. <<

I like to imagine as I travel that I’m a local; I like to think that I can just blend in with the crowds. Clearly, I don’t blend in very well in China with blonde hair, but I can sometimes pass as a local when in Sweden and Germany, which I get a kick out of!

One of my favorite things when traveling solo is to head up to the bar and wait for the bartender to come by and ask what I’d like to order. If they speak to me in their native language, I feel like it’s a win! I of course then have to ask if they speak English, but I’d like to think that for a brief moment, I was passing for a local!

Solo Female Introverted Travelers Get Lonely Too

There are definitely times when traveling, where I desperately want to share that special moment with a significant other. I feel this way a lot when I’m traveling for work and my boo isn’t with me. Shared experiences are very meaningful and precious.

But solo female travel is equally as meaningful. I remind myself that it’s a time to be a part of a much bigger picture. It’s a time where you can be whoever you want to be, feel however you want to feel.

For me, solo female travel is a time where I can feel a part of something bigger than myself. I feel so small yet so big in the world. It’s an indescribable feeling of gratitude, joy, hope, excitement, and meaning. It’s what gives me purpose and fuels my being.

You ever get that feeling when listening to a powerful song? Like an overwhelming mix of emotions that washes over you with each melody that makes you want to laugh and cry at the same time? It’s like that.

This mindset comes from a place of observation and gratitude. When traveling alone, you gain the ability to immerse yourself in observation, and consequently gratitude. It’s powerful state of meditation to revel in.

Okay this is getting pretty philosophical...if you are an introvert, you probably get me. I hope that the extroverts out there get it too!

Are you an introvert or an extrovert? How does that affect your travels? What have you learned from being an introverted traveler? Or extroverted traveler?