As amazing and fulfilling as being a backpacker is, sometimes it gets mentally draining. Having to constantly plan your next move, what you’re going to eat, how you’re going to fill the days, and the constant flow of talking to new people every day gets a lot. The good often outweighs the bad when you are looking out into scenic jungle views in 30-degree heat, but here are some tips and stories of when I need a break from the constant moving around.
Before I travelled, I hated being alone, now I truly value my own time and appreciate the quiet of being in my own mind. It’s important to take time for yourself each day. I like to meditate or read or write or walk or listen to music or just take in my surroundings, and I know a lot of backpackers are likeminded. However, some people I have met don’t seem to suffer from social burnout, but it’s okay to take time for yourself and people understand this. Some days I will be offered by new friends to join a trip or go to dinner, but my new favourite thing is to eat pasta and drink wine alone in a restaurant, so sometimes I decline offers from people to be alone with my thoughts. And it is okay! Most travellers go through this, and after 6 months of my first backpacking trip, I had hit a wall. Of course, living in hostels you are going to chat to people, but if you lay in a hammock with a book, it’s likely people will understand you are having “me time”.
The fortunate pricing of most places in Latin America and backpacking hotspots around the world, is private rooms are cheap. Usually, if you book a private with someone and it can be the same cost as a bunk bed in a dorm room, but if you are a solo traveller like me, a private will cost more. I’d say they range from around £8 to £30, so you have options of what you’d like to spend most of the time. Airbnb and booking.com are the best way to find private rooms, and often they are cleaner and nicer than dorm rooms. I don’t stay in private rooms often, mostly because I’m not with another person to split the cost. In Mexico, my mate Braeden and I travelled together and opted for a fancy private room now and again because we were sick of bunk beds and often it worked out the same price or cheaper. Family rooms are often for 4 people so if friends wanted to join at the last minute everything worked out in a cost-effective way. Another time in Mazunte, Mexico, I fell in love with the town, so my friends moved to a new spot but I had already been there, I decided to stay a few more nights alone in a hotel. It was more expensive but I regretted nothing, the hotel was great. Most recently I booked a private room for myself in Popoyo, Nicaragua. I had been at the Treehouse party and my body was exhausted, knowing my friends were in the hostel next door if I needed them, I know when my body and mind need to be alone, so I don’t mind spending a bit more money to rejuvenate my soul. And usually, after some time away, I can bounce back ready to explore and meet more people.
6 months into my travels, I hit an inevitable wall. I felt tired, homesick and didn’t know where in the world I needed to be. After some traumatising events the past month, it was either I go home or I breathe and stick with the plan. Then I found myself at Eden on the Chocola outside San Juan del Sur in Nicaragua. It’s not really a backpacker thing to go on a yoga or wellness retreat, but I took 3 nights for around £230, and I’m so glad I did it. I used this time to meditate, do yoga, thank about where I want to be and catch up on things id been meaning to do for months. We ate healthy vegan meals, did workouts in the early morning on nearby beaches and took part in cacao ceremonies. This time to reflect and relax alone for a few days helped immensely, so that’s another option on how to revive your travel spirit.
After feelings of homesickness, some time to myself allowed me to get my sense of wellbeing back. I knew if I booked a flight home before my original time of May, I’d be sitting on the plane regretting my decision. But of course, always do what’s best for you. Some people aren’t built for the backpacking life and would rather be at home instead, and that’s okay. This travel made me realise what kind of backpacker I am, I discovered 6 months is my limit (after 6 months I grew tired and was less interested in meeting people), I also discovered I like a routine so staying in a place for a week or 2 works well for me. But if your body and mind is telling you to take a break no matter where that may be, listen, and you will be thankful you spent a bit extra to calm the mind!
Bevs Backpacking📍 
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