Dear Introvert: What I Wish I Knew Before 3 Months of Travel

Three months. Two countries. One tired introvert.

With one week left in my travel journey, I’ve surprised even myself with this realization: I’m ready to go home.

That doesn’t mean the trip wasn’t life-changing. It was! I’ve eaten, explored, and experienced things I’ll never forget. But as someone who deeply values solitude, routine, and a stable home base, this trip also stretched me in ways I wasn’t entirely prepared for.

So, if you’re an introvert (or just someone who values downtime), here’s my candid look at what worked, what didn’t, and what I’ll definitely change next time.

✅ What Worked

1. Staying in One Country Long-Term

When I initially booked my trip, I imagined country-hopping every few weeks. But just moving from Thailand to Korea (which I consider a second home) was more emotionally and mentally taxing than I anticipated. Each new place comes with new customs, currency, transportation systems, and energy required to adjust. I found comfort in settling into one country longer—it allowed me to breathe, build routines, and feel a sense of belonging instead of just passing through.

2. Booking Accommodations for 2 Weeks to 1 Month

Short stays are exciting, but they’re also draining. Constantly researching places, packing, checking in/out—it’s a lot. Longer stays gave me time to actually live in a place, not just visit. I could unpack my bag, get familiar with the neighborhood, and stop feeling like a guest. That kind of emotional stability was crucial for my mental health and sense of ease.

As a bonus, longer stays come with discounts. I booked my accommodations through Airbnb, Agoda, and Booking.com

I really liked this hostel in Bangkok, where I had a private room, excellent wifi, kitchen access, and cute areas for filming.

3. Taking Days Off

Some days I didn’t do anything. No, seriously, didn’t leave my room. No cafes, no temples, no socializing—just rest. And you know what? I stopped feeling guilty about it. Long-term travel isn’t a vacation; it’s a lifestyle shift. You don’t need to fill every day with action. As an introvert, I needed to recharge regularly, and permitting myself to do that made the whole experience more sustainable.

4. Learning Basic Phrases

A simple “hello,” “thank you,” or “excuse me” in the local language goes a long way. Not only did it make interactions smoother, but it also made me feel more connected to the culture. I didn’t wait until I was fluent—I just learned the basics and wasn’t afraid to use them. People responded warmly, and it made even mundane errands feel a little less intimidating.

Learning key phrases opened the doors to more conversations, a better sense of community, and I was able to find out what locals do with their free time.

❌ What Didn’t Work

1. Not Having a Loose Plan

I romanticized the idea of "waking up and seeing where the day takes me." But in practice, that meant spending my mornings scrambling to figure out what was nearby, what was worth seeing, and how to get there. It became mentally exhausting. I’ve learned I don’t need a strict itinerary, but I do need a list of potential activities, restaurants, and areas to explore, so I’m not burning energy making decisions every single day.

I had a list of about 10 things I wanted to see/accomplish in Thailand, but honestly for 2 months it wasn’t nearly enough. I was able to cross of several over the span of a few days.

2. Not Having a Financial Cushion

This one hurts. I ran out of money three times. Unexpected expenses (buying an entirely new plane ticket, transportation after getting lost, losing cash) add up quickly. And when you’re constantly on the move, it’s harder to pause and make money. Next time, I’ll make sure to overestimate my budget and set aside an emergency fund that I don’t touch unless absolutely necessary.

3. Not Having a Kitchen

Eating out every meal may sound fun, but it gets old fast. I missed being able to cook simple meals, especially during downtime. Having access to a kitchen isn’t just about saving money (though that’s a huge plus); it’s also about feeling grounded. There’s something so healing about making yourself a hot meal in a cozy space. Now, a kitchen is a non-negotiable for me when booking long stays.

Finding cute and empty cafes did help my work flow.

4. Not Sticking to a Work Routine

This was my first time trying to travel and work at the same time. And honestly? I struggled. Without a consistent schedule, my blog and YouTube channel fell to the back burner. I didn’t realize how hard it would be to balance exploration with productivity. Going forward, I’ll carve out set “work hours,” even while abroad, and make sure I stay somewhere quiet and conducive to focus. Treating it like a remote job—not a vacation—is key.

Know Yourself Before You Go

Here’s the truth: you can be grateful for the journey and still crave home. You can be adventurous and need rest. You can love travel deeply and admit when it’s time to hit pause.

Long-term travel taught me a lot—but the biggest lesson was this:

✨ Design your travel life around who you are, not who social media tells you to be. ✨

Would I do it again? Absolutely.
Would I do it differently? Without question.

If you're thinking about hitting the road for a while, especially as an introvert or creative, take some time to think about what you need to feel safe, seen, and at peace while abroad.

💭 Question for You:

What’s one thing you need to feel at home while traveling? Let me know in the comments —I'm curious!