Hi John. Anything we try to do for the first time can have its challenges. I travel solo and quite enjoy it. I work some of the time and tour about the rest of the time.

Sometimes just packing up with no real plan, or someone else's plan, can be fun and sometimes it can be confusing and lonely. Perhaps you might just like to start by sitting in your motorhome and just thinking about where you would like to be. If there is nowhere that you really want to go to and you are only doing it because it was a plan of yesterday, then travelling might not be for you. If you can think about places you would like to travel to but feel unsure about missing your partner then that is understandable. Once you make the decision give the places a fair go. Might I suggest that instead of just making whistle stops at many places, find one and pull up stumps for a couple of weeks. Go and find the local library, men's shed, Vinnies, whatever, and offer your services as a volunteer for a couple of hours. You may find that the whole World starts to open up. Everyone has a story to tell and everyone enjoys a good listener.

Don't be rushed, just give your feelings and sorrows a chance to settle. We all go through these times, just some experience them sooner than later.

Look forward to catching up with you on the road somewhere.

Hi Liventhedream,

Thank you for being so honest and open about your feelings. You certainly have an inner strength that maybe you aren't aware of.

The first time or second time I was faced with new decisions, new challenges, new anything, I found there was anxiety attached. What I did initially was stay in a Caravan Park not too far away from the area/town I knew well and when the anxiety level dropped, I would then feel better about facing the next new challenge. Also I visited close friends or relatives at first, until again I felt the anxiety level lower, then once that happened I would hitch up again and move on.

Yes it may take time, but once you have become ok with where you are at emotionally then that gives you the strength to go forward. The camping world will unfold before you and you will go forward with confidence and happiness.  I can now camp in Free Camps and just love the feeling of nature wrapping itself around me, the bird sound at dawn and dusk, the beauty of sunsets, the peacefulness of a river flowing past my front door.

You will get there, just small steps at your pace.
I wish you all the very best and keep the communication channels you have opened here on this wonderfully supportive "Solo Nomads" forum going. You will find this a lifeline and friends are only an internet connection away. 

It took me two weeks before I was even game enough to start up my motorhome.  Now, after five years I have travelled 90K.  Bit scary at the beginning.  

Hi John.  Have PM'd you.

Cheers,

Sheba.

Thank you Panther and all others .....one day at a time 

Hi John. When I first started to travel as a solo I held the mistaken belief that every couple must be having a fantastic time and most of us singles were either lonely or watching the action from a distance. It did not take me long to discover that nothing could be further from the truth.

I discovered that not everybody on the road was out there fulfilling a lifetime dream, a lot were out there escaping their own demons. some people I have met never had any real intentions of travelling in this way and only ventured out on to the road as they could not bear another day living in a house full of memories whilst slowly dying of misery and loneliness.

One of the great things about this lifestyle is that you don't have to do anything to meet people of similar interests. The minute you pull up at a rest stop, caravan park or free camp, you have something in common.  There is no pressure nor is there any need to explain what you are doing, you are just part of the herd, so to speak. The mere fact that someone has a van similar or recognizes you from a caravan park three days ago is sufficient to continue the friendship.

Don't ask yourself " How will I cope if something goes wrong", ask yourself "How will I feel if everything goes well"

One more suggestion. Just take your motor home or van down the road from your place to the nearest stop over or rest area and take your thermos. Sit outside and have a cup of tea and count how many people say hello and then count how many happily stop and have a chat if you decide to continue the conversation.

You will be astonished.

Liventhedream wrote:

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Thank u all re input ..Panther I had change on mind and re Wollongong and headed to Pearl beach on central coast ...have read it was one of the best beaches in NSW so drove there. ..very tight road from Woy Woy to Pearl Beach but a lovely place I stayed over night....enjoyed the sound of the waves breaking
Will do another trip soon .
Cheers john

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 Great to hear John, well done, tiny steps.

Aussie Paul.