How to Make an Anti-Loneliness Kit for Solo Travel

Jun 08, 2016

When you’ve been sitting on an uncomfortable bus for eight hours, arrive in a new city late at night and realize you left your newly purchased souvenirs at your last hostel (or made another inevitable travel mistake), it’s pretty dang easy to get the travel blues. Getting bummed out and just wanting to feel the comforts of home during your (mostly) awesome solo adventures is part of the game and WILL make you stronger (just think about the movie Wild). Sometimes, you’ll be lonely in the middle of nowhere, or too sick to go meet people at a cool hostel. You’ll need to cure your solo travel loneliness, well, alone. So take a deep breath and prepare for these times by packing these eight anti-loneliness items. You’ll feel close to home in no time, promise.

1. Make a feel-good favorites playlist. Blasting Beyoncé is sometimes the only option, especially for miserably long plane rides or noisy, overcrowded buses. It’s incredible how much music can affect your mood and transport you back to some of your favorite memories. So before you leave for a solo adventure, take a couple of minutes to put together a playlist with some of your all-time favorite songs, complete with tons of feel-good tunes and definitely a few guilty pleasures. We won’t judge you for putting “Wannabe” on that list. The Spice Girls are forever relevant.

2. Write a letter of intention to yourself. Before packing your new sundresses, sit down and write yourself a letter or a list. Include the reasons why you’re traveling and who supported you in your decision. Pack this somewhere safe and take it out whenever you need to regain your confidence. Sometimes the open road toward adventure can be more like a labyrinth of emotions, so remembering your initial passion and support system in times of struggle might help to rev up your I-can-do-this attitude.

3. Pack your favorite tea. The little comforts and reminders of home mean a lot when you’re on-the-go. Pack a few bags of your favorite calming tea for a really simple, yet completely calming pick-me-up. There’s just something about a hot mug in your hand and subtly sweet tea leaf aromas to help soothe the soul. Most rooms have electric kettles, so put on some comfy clothes and just chill.

4. Place pics of friends and fam around your hotel or dorm bed. Sure, smartphones are perfect for storing thousands of photos, but there’s nothing like having a couple of printed photos of your favorite moments or people tucked away for moments of need. The physical prints bring back a comforting nostalgia, and can be a fun way to share your story with new friends. When you’re staying somewhere for an extended time, set up your photos along the window’s ledge or against a mirror to make your accommodations feel a bit more familiar.

5. Break out the inspirational letters. Before you leave for your solo adventure, ask a few of your closest friends to write you a short, inspirational note. When you’re feeling down, there’s nothing better than breaking out the letters and having the people you love remind you of how brave, adventurous and adored you are. So, yeah, you’re not asking for pure reality here, but there absolutely is truth to the praise your friends lather on you in your goodbye note, and their thoughts will get you through the times you question what the heck you’re doing alone in a treehouse in Laos.

6. Splurge on nicer accommodations. Okay, so this isn’t something to take with you, but a plush, clean bed in a quiet room is something material that’ll definitely make you feel a whole lot better. Sometimes your body is tired after a super rough train ride, you’ve caught a cold or you haven’t actually gotten a full night’s sleep in weeks thanks to your party-loving hostel dormmates. That physical exhaustion can drag you down. So treat yo’self to a little R&R. Take a long, hot shower, throw on that fluffy robe and flip on the TV. You’ll be less lonely in no time.

7. Seek out a little taste of home. Sometimes loneliness on the road isn’t a lack of other people; it’s missing your favorite things about daily life back home. Think about what material thing you love at home that you haven’t had on the road. Red wine? Put down that $1 Sapporo for a night and indulge in a glass of red wine. Don’t go a day without Oreos? Hunt them down, or get something comparable to satisfy your sweet tooth.

8. Send a postcard. Missing your friends and family will probably happen. Instead of sitting around and wishing they were there, go out and find the prettiest postcards you can. Sit at a cafe or park and write about what you’ve seen so far, then be sure to mail it! Taking a moment to allow yourself to miss people, but turning it into an adventure, will make the whole experience much more memorable. Plus, your postcard recipient will get a thoughtful souvenir, and that’s one less refrigerator magnet you have to bring home.

What’s in your anti-loneliness toolkit? Let us know how you keep your spirits up while traveling @BritandCo.

(Photos via Getty)

24 Cozy 'Gilmore Girls' Gifts For Anyone Who'd Rather Be In Stars Hollow

If there's one thing about Gilmore Girls fans you can count on, it's their passion. They love the quirky one liners, memorable moments, and are usually either Team Jess or Team Logan (sorry Dean...). Give any Gilmore Girls lover in your life the chance to transport themselves to Stars Hollow this holiday season — without having to make the trek to Washington, Connecticut or the Warner Bros. stage in Hollywood. These Gilmore Girls gift ideas are fun, thoughtful, and very cozy, which are also three hallmarks of the series itself! From a coffee mug that Luke Danes would approve of to the perfect gifts for Taylor Swift fans, this Gilmore Girlsgift guide will make you say "Oy with the poodles already!"

Now that we're in knee-high boot season (which I FINALLY bought), I like to wear super fun, colorful, and chaotic socks. Grab a pack of Gilmore Girls socks to take some Stars Hollow magic with you no matter where you go.

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Which gifts from this Gilmore Girls gift guide will you be buying for your friends (or yourself)? Let us know in the comments!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated.

Angelina Jolie Finally Opened Up About Her "Extremely Private" Kids & Motherhood

Angelina Jolie has always been mother — but she's also a literal mother to six kids whom she clearly cares about fiercely. Since she first adopted Zahara, Maddox, and Pax to giving birth to Vivienne and Knox, it's always been evident that her children are her entire world. While she rarely talks about her children (especially given her highly contested divorce at the moment), Angelina shared a little slice of her feelings on motherhood, insights on her children, and more with Good Morning America.

Here's what Angelina Jolie had to say about her kids — including which one of them is the most private!

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Angelina opened up about her feelings for her family while chatting about her new movie Maria with Good Morning Americaon November 21, 2024. Host Michael Strahan asked Angie about if there's anything she loves as much as her character loves singing, and she replied that it's her "motherhood."

"It’s my happiness. You can take everything else away from me," she said. "I could — nothing else matters."

When asked about her sons' involvement in Maria, Angelina explained that despite their involvement behind the scenes, they're very uninterested in a life in the spotlight. She said, "None of my children want to be in front of the camera. They're quite private."

Angelina elaborated, "Shiloh's extremely private. They weren't born with privacy, so I hope they can have that."

This interview comes after Angelina and Knox attended the Governor's Awards with her on November 18, 2024. His rare appearance shocked so many — including Brad. Daily Mail reported that Pitt found the timing "suspicious."

The source said, "'She is trying to get under his skin after his recent win and using Knox to do so is odd. Knox wants nothing to do with Hollywood and has no communication with Brad."

Despite the weirdness, the source also said, "He [Brad] believes that, in time, his children will come back into his life."

How many kids does Angelina Jolie have?

Angelina Jolie has six children. She adopted Zahara, Maddox, and Pax, and later gave birth to Vivienne and Shiloh. She shares her children with Brad Pitt, most of whom aren't on good terms with him at the moment.

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Holiday Gifting Made Easy with These 41 'EveryGirl' Essentials

The 'EveryGirl' is the sort of girl who loves the simple, classic, and essential. She loves timeless silhouettes, effortless style, and laid-back elegance. Some love their accessories, some love trying new flavors, and some are all about fashion finds. We've rounded up the top 41 essentials that you need to buy this year for the EveryGirl on your gift list (including yourself).

Thanks for reading about our favorite finds from across the internet! FYI: We participate in affiliate programs and may get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

This Gorgeous Gold Pendant Is a Staple

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This stunning pendant can be worn and styled all the time with everything in anyone's closet. The necklace is a classic piece that's effortless and easy and offers a little elegance to any 'fit.

How to Make an Anti-Loneliness Kit for Solo Travel

Keep reading for 24 Gilmore Girls-themed gift ideas for 2024.

Here's what Angelina Jolie had to say about her kids — including which one of them is the most private!

How many kids does Angelina Jolie have?

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