Travelling With Depression?
I have depression/no friends due to unemployment periods and moving around for work, but I got a permanent job starting in a few months.
I want to travel solo before then (on a budget of course) and even the though is cheering me up, might even sell all my stuff and just backpack. But I have no social life and don't know if I want to talk to people at hotels and so on. Is this a bad idea?
I want to travel solo before then (on a budget of course) and even the though is cheering me up, might even sell all my stuff and just backpack. But I have no social life and don't know if I want to talk to people at hotels and so on. Is this a bad idea?
Original post by shawn_o1
You might want to brush up on your social skills before you go.
My social skills are fine (I was popular at college, had to move back to England, lost touch with friends, depression due to family issues, long story). I don't really want to socialise with other travellers, I'm going to start making friends when I get my new job and am settled.
Original post by Anonymous
My social skills are fine (I was popular at college, had to move back to England, lost touch with friends, depression due to family issues, long story). I don't really want to socialise with other travellers, I'm going to start making friends when I get my new job and am settled.
If that's the case, you'd be able to book your hotel room and check into and out of the hotel easily. You'd only have to talk to one person. (It's unlikely that others would suddenly get the idea of chit-chatting with a stranger; if that happens, politely refuse)
Original post by shawn_o1
If that's the case, you'd be able to book your hotel room and check into and out of the hotel easily. You'd only have to talk to one person. (It's unlikely that others would suddenly get the idea of chit-chatting with a stranger; if that happens, politely refuse)
Thanks. Yeah its not the idea of not talking to others, just the idea of.. travelling solo w/o any friends and depression?
Original post by shawn_o1
If that's the case, you'd be able to book your hotel room and check into and out of the hotel easily. You'd only have to talk to one person. (It's unlikely that others would suddenly get the idea of chit-chatting with a stranger; if that happens, politely refuse)
He's referring to hostels (rooms typically shared with three or four other people at least) rather than private hotel rooms - which would be too expensive.
Original post by River85
He's referring to hostels (rooms typically shared with three or four other people at least) rather than private hotel rooms - which would be too expensive.
My fault, forgot to say hostels not hotels
but yep that's what I meant. I'm a girl btw, been to hostels before on my own when travelling and people started chatting to me anyway haha 
thoughts on travelling with depression?
You'll be exposed to people even if you don't seem social, it's inevitable! When I went travelling, everyone was extra friendly and didn't pick up on my anti-social tendencies which really increased my confidence. I would be careful travelling with friends, I went with my closest friend and we feel so comfortable and hardly ever argues, so it was all good. My one friend went to India, she got sick for 3 days and her friends just left her there alone because they were bored....
I think it will give you a perspective, but travelling can be SO stressful. So I'd identify potential possibilities for this and CHILL.
Personal tip- In my experience I find food to be a huge argument-starter/stressor. Everyone disagrees on where to have it, and then get really cranky. Just be warned haha
Good on you for going ahead with this possibility! I'm going on holiday in summer too, super excited!
I think it will give you a perspective, but travelling can be SO stressful. So I'd identify potential possibilities for this and CHILL.
Personal tip- In my experience I find food to be a huge argument-starter/stressor. Everyone disagrees on where to have it, and then get really cranky. Just be warned haha
Good on you for going ahead with this possibility! I'm going on holiday in summer too, super excited!
Original post by Anonymous
My fault, forgot to say hostels not hotels but yep that's what I meant. I'm a girl btw, been to hostels before on my own when travelling and people started chatting to me anyway haha
thoughts on travelling with depression?
but yep that's what I meant. I'm a girl btw, been to hostels before on my own when travelling and people started chatting to me anyway haha thoughts on travelling with depression?
Sorry, I meant to say She/he - or I could've just been gender neutral.
Anyway, it's a hard question to answer as I don't know you, how severe your depression is, and how it affects you. Is "forced" socialising while travelling your main concern? What exactly is it about travelling with depression that you feel is a concern?
I've long wanted to travel, but not been able to make my start until now (I've just turned 30). I experienced an assault when 16, which led to the breakdown of a friendship and depression along with epilepsy getting worse, then I had problems throughout my degree. I had that conflict of wanting to travel, wanting to do with friends and not alone. But I'd become so withdrawn. I don't know if I could have done it alone. In one sense I think I would have found it too anxious, but in another maybe it would have given me that confidence and allowed me to come out of my shell.
I'm different though as I was always shy and quite introverted even before the assault and depression, so I saw travelling alone as an opportunity to get that confidence and bring myself out of my shell (however hard it would be to do). You say that, historically at least, you have been a reasonably confident and outgoing so this is less relevant.
