Ditching everything you have and setting off on your travels is a great adventure, full of the promise of excitement and self-discovery. Unfortunately, for this incredible experience you do need to make some sacrifices, and there’s no denying that saying goodbye to your loved ones is among the hardest. There will be days when you can’t deal with the separation, and you’ll wish you had somebody to share your journey with.
It’s perfectly normal to feel like that (see the many stories from this group of blogging travellers!); you’ve taken a huge leap and if it wasn’t a little challenging, there would be no sense of adventure. To minimise the impact on yourself and on your loved ones, it’s important to ensure that you’ve allowed plenty of time for goodbyes, to let your friends and family get used to the idea of you going away.
Partners
If you’re in a relationship and you’re planning on travelling alone, a long-term separation can put a huge strain on both of you. It’s important to have a really frank and honest conversation about how you plan to continue your relationship while you’re away – will you stay faithful to one another, or will you go on a temporary “break” for the duration of your trip? It should be noted that if your heart’s not really in the relationship at the moment, it could be time to ditch it – there’s no sense stringing it out while you’re away when you’ll likely be meeting new people every day.
Family
Your family may struggle to show enthusiasm for your trip, but try to be patient and assure them that you’ll be perfectly safe. Parents have usually been through all the cuts and scrapes of childhood with you to get you to where you are now, and the thought of you being so far away can be a cause for worry. They are excited for you, just concerned, so do what you can to alleviate their anxieties by providing them with an itinerary, your contact details, and a promise to stay in touch!
Pets
Even the most independent traveller needs a confidante, and for many people it’s the household pets. Parting with your pooch may feel like losing a best friend – but it doesn’t need to be a permanent arrangement. Try to leave them with a friend, neighbour or family member, and ensure that whoever ends up looking after them knows what they need to keep them happy while you’re gone. Ensure you have a quality, sound up-to-date pet insurance plan and see if you can get a webcam for your pet’s new foster home, so you can still get a little FaceTime once in a while!
