There’s an article on the UK government website about loneliness.
It states that ‘approximately 3 million people said they felt lonely often or always’. This was from a survey in taken in 2020/2021, which, as we know, was during the pandemic.
If I had taken that survey, I would have probably answered, often.
Now, I’ve been travelling since I was 22; I caught the travel bug from taking part in the Camp America exchange programme. (Which consequently, changed my life in so many ways- sorry not sorry for being cliché!)
As I’m writing this, I’m sitting outside at a café in Venice, Italy, with a café shekerato (iced coffee as we say in the UK.)
Now, you’re probably thinking, what’s travelling got to do with loneliness? Or, what’s Rosie’s point- I promise I have one.
Thing is, I haven’t always been lonely.
I did have a few friends at school. But as I got older, into my twenties (and now into my 30’s!) those friends moved away. I’m still living in my small market town in Hampshire that I call home, where the age range is, according to the local museum, 40 and upwards.
Life gets lonely when you are single, with no responsibilities, your friends live further away in the bigger cities – and when you don’t have many people in similar circumstances as you to chat to about it.
When I flew to Venice last night, it was like I became a different person. My mood completely changed; so much so that I even treated myself to a G+T once I got through security (on my own, of course.) When I’m at home, I notice all the time when I go out, that I’m on my own, but in the airport, I didn’t seem to mind.
So, my question is, are some of us born to travel, or does it just mask how we’re really feeling?
To be honest, I’m not entirely sure.
But now that I’m writing the next part of this article, I’ve actually just been out for the evening, in Venice, with a woman of a similar age to me, who was staying in the same room as me in the hostel.
Despite the fact that we had only just met that day (it was my first day, and her last day, of course!) we chatted – a LOT. About living at home, pets, travelling, boyfriends, and- online dating (I discovered I’m not the only one online!)
I’m not the only nearly 30 year old, trying to find their romantic partner online. I’m not the only 30 year old living at home, using apps and social media to try and forge connections.
I’m also not the only nearly 30 year old travelling on her own.
For the first time in a long time, I’d had a conversation I’d wanted to have- to find a connection with somebody. Tonight, I don’t feel so alone.
I’d met this woman in my hostel dorm- not on a dating app, not on social media. But through travelling, and destiny had it that we shared the same room- out of chance we met.
I was going to give a few more reasons why you should travel solo with loneliness- but I think I’ve found the main, most important one.
Travel brings people together.
In a world where we are living online- whether for work, dating, connecting with friends- travelling is one way you can meet people, physically, in the flesh. Whether those connections are for one night only, or for a lifetime- just one conversation with a stranger could change your life. Or at least, your mindset.
So, for this reason- I urge you to travel- as far and as wide as our beautiful world rotates.