First of all, what exactly means “mindful traveling”? Babe, it’s taking your personal impact on the environment into consideration as a solo traveller. We all know about the fatal climate changes, are aware of the many endangered species on our planet and the consequences for our own lives. And of course the lives of other people around the world. If it’s the mass tourism leaving the tons of plastic waste behind. Or our often demanding request for food products from overseas. Or at least the long-haul flights resulting in a totally decreased travel carbon footprint, we all are aware of them. Personally speaking, it is a lifelong goal for me to explore the planet in a more mindful and loving way!
xx
For all solo travel lovers, does this mean in the last consequence, one should not travel?
Honestly, no. However, we should all keep in mind, how our lifestyle habits have an impact on the world’s ecosystem. Thus, we have to improve our travel habits, undertake more sustainable actions, and support more eco-friendly travels. We should definitely take over more responsibility for our own actions in foreign countries. For me as a solo wanderess, it also means to interact stronger with local communities, to achieve an understanding for their current situation, and to support them while I travel. As traveling grows our empathy accompanied by a deep understanding for cultures and people, this is also a facet of a conscious woman traveling solo and will help you even more with adapting your travel habits and doing something good for our beautiful planet. And besides, it’s a she “Mother Earth”.
To get you started, I made up a list of actions you can undertake for becoming a mindful traveller, girl. I also provide a couple of examples that will help you to develop your travel mindset. Well, sometimes it is not possible to start every conscious action right away. Nevertheless, if you start with one first thing, you already changed your travels to the better. As you’ll see, it is not as difficult as it sounds! I am more than happy to see you travel lovelies improving your conscious travel habits during your individual journeys around the world.
xx
Story Contents
1. Culture.
This first point is absolutely essential for a mindful solo traveller! Understanding the culture of a country, the history the people have gone through and the reasons why they do what they do nowadays, and from what they make their livings. So first of all, do some research before your trip. Built up an understanding of what is good for their country and what kinds of actions can harm its ecosystem. This means with your profound understanding, you are quite more able to differentiate do’s and don’ts and your travel habits will become even more reflected, babe. Next, adapt your time schedule to the schedule of a local during your travels, same so for your daily activities. This means, get up early when they usually do it. Visit the places they would go, eat where they would dine in. In the following, you gain even more and more insights on how they live and the character of their cultural mindset.
Being strongly interested in a country’s culture comes along with learning some of their local phrases. Feel free to get in interaction with people when you are on-site. They will absolutely cherish your interest and even speaking a few words to start an interaction will reward you with some happy smiles. There is no better way than getting to know a country from the thoughts of locals. They might also have some special tips on great activities for you and how you can support them.
To train your cultural awareness, I have another blog post up and running to support you with understanding cultural diversity as a traveller.
xx
xx
2. Accomodations.
Where about to stay? There is good news: both hotel accommodations (even luxury ones) and local stays can be recommended. Both contribute to the local peoples’ lives – they might get a job in the luxurious one or can host guests in their own house to make direct earnings. However, when you decide for a hotel stay, you can keep an eye on a few aspects. Being environmentally friendly could be realized by a sustainable hotel building and conscious services. For example, it uses alternative energy sources like solar panels, refrains from disposable materials, recycles waste, offers towel reuse, hires local workers, pays fair loans, and cooks with products from local farmers.
xx
3. Transportation.
Regarding transportation, the eco friendly choices absolutely depend on the country’s offers. Whenever possible, pick an alternative that a local would also do. Especially on short distances, switch from an airplane flight to a train or bus ride. And it can be so much fun to ride a train or bus, meet locals, and be part of their daily life, girl. It’s a totally different experience. If possible on your journey, you could buy a ticket for a reserved seat in a private van to participate in shared transportation. Your hosts can help you with the tickets, and most often arrange them at a much cheaper price for you.
xx
xx
4. Food.
Let’s get to the yummy side of travels. And definitely go local! Locally grown products are the freshest in the world and locally cooked food is by far the best and most authentic one anyways. You will support local farmers and producers, when you look for local restaurants or markets to eat out. Please please please avoid large international food chains. There is absolutely no need to test the national variations of globally designed burgers and fries.
Besides, there is a must to avoid plastic waste (so another reason to skip the global burgers). In general, you should avoid disposable items and replace them with reusable bags, refillable water bottles, etc. In case you have to go for disposable stuff, make sure to use items that are made from recyclable materials such as wood, paper, or recycled plastics. The planet will additionally love you, if you recycle your travel waste on the go and take it with you, when recycling is not possible.
xx
xx
5. Activities.
To plan your solo travel activities, please check out which activities are a do or don’t. Especially, when it comes to wildlife experiences or expeditions in nature, taking care is needed. Overall, respect the nature and its inhabitants. For example, when you are about to enjoy the ocean life, use reef safe sunscreen products. Or skip a safari if it doesn’t feel right for you. Acting responsibly means to say no sometimes – no to beautiful pictures and no to poor animals, too. Local experiences run by local guides are totally worth it. In this sense, locals are the best guides for sure. However, please ensure (research again) that you don’t jump into the tourist trap and end up with a local guide who disrespects the nature and just wants to squeeze money out of you. Let’s focus on the good local guys: they can show their favorite spots, the hidden gems apart from the tourist crowds, that will definitely blow your mind away!
In addition, you can reach out for activities to do something good. You can engage in planet-saving activities such as collecting plastic waste on beaches, work in a nature reserve, help to build a well or school, or teach English. Simultaneously, you can interact with locals and support them. To find the perfect activity for you, do some research on Facebook or Instagram as the ecological and social organizations often post their recent activities there. I totally encourage you to go out and do something good – it will also boost your karma, babe!
xx
You are now ready to go on your next solo travels? Need some help with finding your next travel destination? Click here and get my ultimate tips that will help you out! Besides, here are the 10 best recommended destinations for women traveling alone.
// Disclaimer // I was not paid for my reviews and recommendations mentioned in this blog post. The views and opinions expressed in this blog post are purely my own and can be considered as honest evaluations.
xx
What is your individual way of conscious traveling, girl? Please drop your comments and thoughts below and share these insights with other travel lovelies ♥
