Why Fears Are Part of Traveling – and of Life

Almost exactly four years ago, I packed my brand-new travel backpack and set off – with about fifteen kilos on my back and no companion. Not because no one could join me, but because that was exactly how I wanted it. I didn’t even bother asking anyone.

But one night before my one-month Interrail trip, doubts suddenly hit me: What if I don’t meet other travellers? What if I don’t enjoy being on my own? What if this whole idea was just plain stupid?

My parents immediately reassured me: You don’t have to go on this trip.

No surprise – they probably wouldn’t have been too upset if their nineteen-year-old daughter had skipped a solo trip across Europe. Back then, they surely never thought that two years later I would head off alone to South America for an entire year.

So, the night before, I cried myself to sleep with worry. And the next morning I stood on the train platform with shaky knees – from excitement, but also from fear.

Being Alone vs. Feeling Lonely

One fear still keeps coming back to me: loneliness. And yet, I love spending time by myself. My friends know: without my me-time, I’m almost unbearable. Whether at home in my apartment or out on a walk in nature – I need those breaks.

It only gets difficult when I start overthinking what others might think. Thoughts like: What will they think if I sit down alone in a restaurant?

Before my first solo trip, that was actually my biggest fear. Not robberies or kidnappings – but the idea that people might look at me strangely if I was going for it alone. Looking back, that sounds pretty ridiculous.

And then there was the fear of not meeting anyone along the way. But in reality, solo travellers (myself included now) often tell the best stories about the people they meet. Traveling alone doesn’t mean being alone – quite the opposite. As a solo traveller, you often get to know new people much more quickly.

My social anxiety, however, whispered that nobody would want to spend time with me: Maybe they’ll all think I’m weird. Today I know that isn’t true – though I still sometimes have those doubts. It’s not that I’m scared of being bored by myself, but more of what others might think.

At the same time, traveling has taught me not to care so much about other people’s opinions. And most worries only ever exist in our heads anyway.

Someone once told me: If you think others are judging you, it usually says more about yourself than about them.

Already on the second day of my Interrail trip, I met a friendly Moroccan in a hostel in Zurich, and we spent an entire evening together. All those worries – for nothing.

Party Hostels – My Personal Nightmare Zone

Since then, dorm rooms have never given me any trouble. You meet people quickly that way. But party hostels? For my social batteries, an absolute nightmare. If you’re not in the mood for partying, it’s simply the wrong place to be. That’s one “fear” I still haven’t overcome – maybe someday in Mexico.

Uninvited Roommates

How did I survive a whole year in Latin America with my insect phobia? Probably with a good dose of denial.

From spiders in hostel corners, to black worms in my room on Galápagos, to an uninvited rainforest lodge guest munching on my nuts at night – encounters with animal housemates weren’t uncommon. Some nights, I didn’t sleep a wink out of fear. But every experience made me a little calmer. Today, I even find tarantulas kind of cute.

Sometimes you don’t have a choice – you simply have to face your fears if you don’t want to miss out on an experience.

Language Barriers

Traveling always means facing challenges. In South America, for me, that was initially the language.

Even though I officially had a B2 level, understanding Chilean Spanish was tough (even Spaniards and Mexicans struggled) – and speaking it myself was even harder. At school I was great at grammar, listening, writing, and reading. But speaking freely – and with locals – was overwhelming at first.

I quickly realized, though: most South Americans hardly speak English. So, I had no choice but to overcome my fear and use my Spanish. And what do you know: a year later I was speaking pretty fluently – and could even understand Chileans fairly well.

Daring Moments That Stay

Often, it’s the things you’ve never done before that scare you the most. Just like before my first solo trip. But even during my travels, there were times when I was scared out of my mind.

Before my mountain biking tour on Bolivia’s Death Road, I was terrified. Not only because it used to be one of the world’s most dangerous roads, but also because I had never sat on a mountain bike before. I worried about messing up – which could have literally cost me my life. And I’ll admit it: I was no natural talent. But who would have thought that I’d actually end up loving mountain biking?

It’s often exactly those moments, when you push yourself beyond your limits, that stay unforgettable.

I once read in a book: If you’re unsure about doing something, ask yourself: Would I regret tomorrow having done it? If the answer is “No” – then do it!

When Fear Protects You

That same question sometimes applies to food in Latin America. Before my trip to Bolivia, I was often warned. Food hygiene isn’t always the best, and food poisoning is quite common. Out of fear, I barely ate anything beyond peeled bananas and bottled water. Because if I ended up spending the night over the toilet, I would definitely regret that one “adventurous” dish.

Sometimes fear is justified and keeps us from being reckless.

The Constant Worry of Forgetting Something

Another travel fear: checking ten times if my passport, wallet, and phone are really packed. Who doesn’t know that feeling? Usually unnecessary, sometimes justified.

Once in Costa Rica, I went to the beach for one night without a phone charger – easily solved by borrowing one at the hostel. Another time, I ran back in the burning heat to get my e-reader I had left behind – and luckily still caught my bus to the next destination. Even when I landed in Cusco with no money and no internet, I found a way out.

Border crossings also stressed me out. EU citizens usually don’t need a visa in most Latin American countries, but you often need to show an onward ticket at entry. Some countries were particularly strict. After a few nerve-wracking experiences, I got used to it – though I still felt a little nervous every time.

Sometimes fears are valid, but in the end, each challenge helps you grow a little.

Financial Fears

You might not believe it, but I’m actually a very thrifty person. I think twice before spending a cent.

I always try to travel as cheaply as possible. And sometimes that means making sacrifices. But of course, now and then, you just want to take that one tour or try that one dish – even if it costs a bit more.

Especially in the last weeks before returning to Austria, I learned to let go of my financial fears. After all, you never know if you’ll ever get the chance to repeat an experience. And back then, I didn’t know I would eventually return to Latin America.

The Hardest Fear

When I think about having to say goodbye to my family and friends again in just about a month, I already feel short of breath.

Probably my biggest fear to this day is the fear of goodbyes. To people, places, experiences, emotions. The fear of leaving everything behind – my home in Austria, as well as a new home on the road. And the fear of letting new things into my heart, knowing exactly what always follows.

And yet, I keep opening myself up to new encounters. Because that’s where the beauty of traveling lies. Sometimes, pain is just proof that we’ve truly lived.

Conclusion: Fear Is Part of It

In the end, almost every big life decision comes with fear. Whether it’s a new job, a relationship, a big move, or a long trip – uncertainty is always there.

Fear can hold us back. Sometimes rightfully so. But sometimes it’s exactly fear that drives us forward. It’s not our enemy, but sometimes our most important companion. It’s perfectly normal to feel afraid. The only question is: which fear do you let hold you back – and which one helps you grow beyond yourself?

What fears do you face while traveling? Have you had similar experiences with loneliness, language barriers, or goodbyes? And were there any moments when you overcame your fear and maybe even created an unforgettable memory? I’d love to hear your stories in the comments 😊

Bussi Baba!