For When You Get Lonely While Traveling

Loneliness on the road will challenge you in the worst ways.

Taking in the San Diego sunset last night.

I did the math today, and as of the writing of this article, I’ve been on 19 trips this year for Jiu-Jitsu competitions, seminars, and training trips.

That’s a lot of time on the road.

This is the 35th week of the year. Basically, I’ve been on the road for more than half the year. I feel more comfortable in an Airbnb than in my own bed.

It feels odd saying that, but it doesn’t feel like a lie.

I’m in San Diego right now, for the third time since June. The city is starting to feel familiar. I can get around parts of it without using my maps app. I even have a favorite sandwich shop by now.

This trip is a little different than the last time I was here though because I’m traveling alone. I’ve spent a lot of time traveling alone this year.

It’s cool to get in a new place and do my favorite thing — I’m here to train and film an instructional DVD for my Jiu-Jitsu — but it’s a little lonely when I’m not at the gym.

I can’t be the first person to get alone during solo travel. Solo travel is romantic, but it’s also a lonely activity.