I spent weeks
organizing every aspect of my first solo trip, including booking hostels,
charting itineraries, and carefully studying YouTube packing videos. I believed
I had everything worked out.
I packed
simple, tidy, and "Instagram-travel-girl"-approved bags. However, as
I traveled through new cities, twisting mountain paths, and strange
neighborhoods, I became aware of the minor yet important things I had stupidly
forgotten.
Now, after
many journeys and a wealth of travel knowledge, I'm revealing the unexpected
items I wish I had brought with me as a female explorer traveling solo.
These are the things that would have made my solo trip safer, simpler, and much more comfortable; they are not the obvious ones like a passport or chargers.
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| The Surprising Things I Regret Not Packing as a Solo Female Explorer |
1. A Personal Safety Alarm
Let's begin
with the most important one. I assumed that since I was "staying in safe
areas," I wouldn't require it.
However, the
reality is that you feel more vulnerable when you're by yourself, especially
when you're walking at night.
Just a few
blocks from my hostel in
Budapest, I experienced a brief period of anxiety. I would have felt safer
and more in control if I had had my own alarm.
2. A Compact First Aid Kit
Since I've
been traveling before, I have the essentials: Pain relievers and band-aids.
Yet, I slipped and received a very bad scrape when hiking alone in Northern
Thailand.
I then
understood that I need to have brought gauze, antiseptic wipes, and suitable
wrapping.
I made it,
but it made me realize how important it is to have more than just plasters on
hand.
3. A Lightweight Door Lock or Stopper
The one time
I wished I had a guesthouse was when I stayed in a doubtful one in Naples.
My heart
raced with every creak in the corridor, and the door didn't lock correctly.
An additional
degree of security could have been provided by a portable lock or a basic door
stopper.
4. An Extra Pair of Comfortable Underwear
This may
sound crazy, but believe me when I say that having an extra pair of shoes
becomes invaluable when you're hand-washing clothes and coping with
unpredictable weather.
My favorite
pair was once stretched by a hostel dryer, leaving me uncomfortable for days
until I discovered a nearby store.
5. Electrolyte Tablets
Dehydration
was an ongoing concern due to long walks, humid cities, and an unexpected
incidence of food poisoning in Vietnam.
I could have
avoided the feeling dizzy and exhaustion I experienced during those periods if
I had a few electrolyte tablets on hand.
6. A Mini Journal
I didn't
bring a journal, but I did bring my phone and camera. A huge error. Your
reflections are your traveling companions while you are solo.
Though I had
nowhere to store them, I found myself searching to write down ideas, little
exchanges of words, and how I felt in particular locations.
I now always
bring a small notebook with me, and it has grown to be my most cherished
memento.
7. A Sarong or Lightweight Scarf
I totally
forgot about this, which is the best travel item. Need a cover-up for the
beach? During a cold bus ride, a blanket? A temple with a head covering? An
improvised towel? All of that and more is possible with a scarf.
It ought to
have been in my bag from the beginning, but I eventually purchased one while
traveling.
8. A Travel-Size Laundry Detergent
Shampooing
garments quickly become outdated. You don't always have someone to share
washing chores or lend you detergent when you're traveling solo.
Time, effort,
and strange-smelling T-shirts might have been avoided with a small sachet of
travel detergent.
9. Emergency Snacks
You'd think
I'd have figured this out sooner, but I can't even begin to count the number of
times I've been left without food on lengthy bus trips, border crossings, or
unforeseen delays.
I could have
avoided being hungry and making bad food choices if I had brought along a pack
of protein bars or trail mix.
10. A Foldable Tote Bag
The necessity
for a beach bag and surprising market discoveries could have been resolved with
a lightweight, folding tote.
Instead, I
frequently found myself buying needless plastic bags or juggling things
awkwardly, which is not very good for the environment.
What I Learned
There is no
better way to develop self-reliance than traveling solo. Yet it also teaches
you that packing smarter, not more, is the key to being prepared.
I've
discovered that it's important to pay attention to other female travelers,
particularly those who have had similar blunders as me.
I now have a
"regret-proof" packing list with all of these necessities on it.
So, if you're a female explorer traveling solo, don't forget to bring that silly-looking scarf, the safety alert, and an additional pair of underwear.
Packing for
peace of mind is more important than overpacking.
And trust me
your future self (tired, possibly sunburned, and standing in a sketchy hostel
bathroom) will thank you.
Have you ever
regretted not brought anything with you when you traveled? We learn best
from one another, so let's share stories in the comments section below.
Read: Solo
Female Packing Secrets I Learned After 5 Countries and 1 Carry-On
