Many people think introverts dislike crowds and they don’t enjoy social interactions. They are not naturally shy nor are they even loners. In reality, they are reserved individuals who easily get drained by social encounters. They do enjoy other people’s company, but they prefer doing things on their own.
Most introverts are not fond of traveling since it is still considered a social activity. While introverts enjoy road trips with friends and holiday travels with family, many choose not to go thinking they can’t enjoy their time alone to explore a new city or experience something new on their own.
The good news is, with a bit of planning, you can finally enjoy traveling with a group and still enjoy your precious alone time. Want to know how to achieve that perfect balance and make traveling less stressful on your next group travel? Here’s how.
Plan the Trip With Your Group
It is crucial that you discuss all arrangements with your group. This is especially true if most of the people you’re going out with are extroverts. Plan everything from your destination, accommodation, and group activities. Discuss the travel arrangements, if you’ll be flying together as a group or if you’ll be bringing some cars with you.
If you’re bringing along your pickup, it is not enough that you take it for diesel engine maintenance and repair before the trip. You will also need to decide on who will ride with you or if you plan on driving alone. Think about what arrangements you are comfortable with and don’t hesitate to discuss this with your group.
Try to Say Yes More Often
Traveling is a great way to bond with your group and meet new people. Even if you travel alone, there is still a bigger chance of earning new friends when you travel. As much as possible, try to loosen up and say yes more often.
This does not necessarily mean you should forget about wanting your private time alone when traveling. Remember that you are visiting a new place, and so many adventures are waiting out for you. Instead of staying in, choose to go out with your friends. You can always spend a few hours alone without wasting time inside your hotel.
Of course, it is important that you know just how much you can stretch your limits. Remember that every one of us has our own comfort level and that is okay. It is always a good idea to have someone in the group who understands your limit and can help you get out of a tricky situation as needed.
Find Ways to Do Your Own Thing
Think of activities you can indulge in whenever you need that alone time. This can be as simple as reading your favorite book or listening to your favorite tunes. You can also try bringing along your favorite gadget with you to play some games or listen to podcasts to signal your companions you want to be left alone for a bit.
It is a good idea to bring two pairs of headphones. Take one that is noise-canceling for times you really want to enjoy your alone time in your own bubble and a regular one. Also, consider forming your own small group. This way, you have a small number of people you can spend some time with instead of the whole group.
Try to be an early bird. Take your breakfast early and after a busy day, you can consider heading back first. This will give you plenty of time to prepare for your next group activity while taking some time off. When using your gadget or books, make sure not to overdo it. You still want to treasure the company without fading into the background.
Consider Traveling for a Cause
Have you ever heard of voluntourism? This is for travelers who want to enjoy visiting different places with a purpose. Voluntourism aims to combine regular tourism with traveling. This is a great choice for people who want to make the most out of their travels.
Voluntourism has its cons. If you’re careful, you get to travel and make a difference if done the right way. You can offer your expertise to make a variety of projects a success and leverage on cultural exchange. Find yourself an organization that offers its volunteers a good balance of volunteer work and relaxation. This way, you can still enjoy some alone time after you do your charity work.
This list only goes to show that even introverts can have fun with a group while traveling. With a bit of planning and preparation, you can experience a worthy trip even when you’re not on a solo trip. Sometimes, it would be nice to consider traveling with your loved ones so you can experience new things together. You can start with a small group and work your way into a bigger one until you get comfortable traveling with others.
