{"id":24197,"date":"2018-12-18T15:27:37","date_gmt":"2018-12-18T15:27:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/flashpacknew.wpengine.com\/?p=24197"},"modified":"2024-05-20T09:46:43","modified_gmt":"2024-05-20T08:46:43","slug":"8-group-travel-tips-every-introvert-needs-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.flashpack.com\/us\/solo\/travel\/8-group-travel-tips-every-introvert-needs-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"8 group travel tips every introvert needs to know"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u00a0think that group travel isn’t for the quiet, reflective type, think again<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The idea of group travel can be intimidating to introverts, who, as inward-looking and reflective people, often feel overwhelmed by spending too much time with others.<\/p>\n

As natural listeners, introverts prefer to think before they speak and can find talking in front – even just a couple – of people alarming.\u00a0But introverts are often rather misunderstood-even by themselves. Being an introvert doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019re anti-social, shy or awkward. In fact, many introverts have great social skills and can be outwardly outgoing.<\/p>\n

The one defining trait of introverts is a need to take time away from the madding crowd to reboot. And, contrary to what you might think,\u00a0they can enjoy a group holiday. In fact, an introvert can thrive within small group adventures surrounded by people on the same wavelength.<\/p>\n

With a bit of careful planning, a group holiday could be the best adventure an introvert ever had. Here are some travel tips to help make your<\/em> travel experiences just so.<\/p>\n

\"three<\/p>\n

Be yourself<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s tempting to try and shed your introversion and head into a group situation with a mask of faux extroversion. Don’t.<\/p>\n

Pretending to be someone you\u2019re not will cost you a great deal of energy and ultimately hinder your enjoyment of the trip. Plus, force jollity and sociability is pretty easy to spot, and your fellow travellers are likely to see right through your extrovert facade.<\/p>\n

So don\u2019t belly flop your way into a group, go in slowly at your own pace and you\u2019ll find yourself slotting in where you feel most comfortable, once personalities and dynamics have settled down.<\/p>\n

Push yourself<\/b><\/h3>\n

You can be yourself yet still push yourself out of your introverted comfort zone, particularly in the first few days. Make an effort to stay out, socialise and actively engage with your fellow travellers<\/a> on the first night when you\u2019re all getting to know each other. Lots of introverts hate the idea of small talk, but it\u2019s a necessary building block to more authentic relationships (perhaps even making close friends<\/a>) that you will no doubt make by the end of your adventure.<\/p>\n

Asking questions helps deflect attention from yourself if you\u2019re uncomfortable in the spotlight, while also laying the foundations for deeper relationships over time.<\/p>\n

That said, don\u2019t allow the conversation to be too one-sided – bombarding someone with questions could start to feel like an interrogation! Listen carefully-as many introverts naturally do-and pepper your responses with tidbits about yourself. Use your new found knowledge to ask questions relevant to the conversation if you start to feel anxious about the shift in focus.<\/p>\n

\"fitness<\/p>\n

Carve out time for yourself<\/h3>\n

Once you\u2019ve established yourself in a group, if you feel you need to take some time out, take it! Read a book, write your journal, take a moment to soak up a spectacular view or get up an hour earlier than everyone else to sip your coffee in quiet contemplation.<\/p>\n

Play to your strengths<\/h3>\n

As the great champion of introverts, Susan Cain, says in her book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking<\/em>, <\/b>\u201cDon’t think of introversion as something that needs to be cured.\u201d In fact, introverts are integral to a group\u2019s dynamic, frequently becoming a sort of \u2018social-glue\u2019 that bonds the different personality threads together.<\/p>\n

Introverts tend to be fascinated by other people and love learning what makes them tick, and people are often attracted to introverts\u2019 excellent listening skills and strong inner contentment. So harness your strengths (staying true to your temperament is key to finding your place within a group) by showing a true interest in people in your group, you will invite further discussion which will help you feel more at ease with your fellow travellers, which, in turn, will make it easier for you to enjoy their company.<\/p>\n

\"solo<\/p>\n

You won’t be the only one<\/h3>\n

There is a tendency among introverts to think we\u2019re a rare and wonderful species. While we are undoubtedly wonderful,\u00a0 <\/span>there are far more of us than we like to think: introverts are everywhere (some have even managed to sneak into the upper echelons of companies and governments).<\/p>\n

Being naturally curious about the world around them and fascinated by other people and places, introverts love to travel. So in a small curated trip, where an introverted personality can not only slot in but actually thrive, you\u2019re unlikely to be alone in your introversion.<\/p>\n

Small travel groups create a well-balanced dynamic where introverts and extroverts can embrace each other\u2019s strengths and learn from each other, so go in knowing you\u2019ll absolutely find people with similar interests who see the world as you do<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Pick the right trip for you<\/h3>\n

Introverts may love to retreat from the world with a book, but many are natural explorers who are up for a challenge and unafraid to push themselves out of their comfort zone, as long as they know that the \u2018me time\u2019 comfort blanket isn\u2019t too far away.\u00a0<\/span>While it\u2019s tempting to assume more sedate trips would suit an introvert, adventure-packed holidays could suit a thrill-seeking introvert better.<\/p>\n

Seeking out an activity-based adventure allows you to mix without the pressure of socialising in a more constricted environment. It\u2019s hard to be inward-looking when you\u2019re abseiling down Table Mountain in Cape Town<\/a>, or canyoning down ravines in Jordan<\/a>. Alternatively, seek out a specialist trip where you know you\u2019ll have common ground, such as a foodie holiday in Mexico<\/a> or a surfing and yoga break in Morocco<\/a> (surely a trip tailor-made for your average introvert).<\/p>\n

\"Surfer<\/p>\n

Embrace the extroverts<\/h3>\n

Far from being the dominating, loud mouths of introverts\u2019 nightmares, extroverts can bring out the best in introverts and a group generally. They bring the fun, are easy-to-know and often great at organising activities that help the group gel.\u00a0<\/span>Their personality type also gives introverts a platform to bounce off-allowing them personality purchase, if you like-in a way that two introverts together can sometimes find hard to find. Introversion and extroversion can be the perfect blend.<\/p>\n

Enjoy yourself<\/h3>\n

Don\u2019t allow yourself to be trapped in an introverted box. Go with an open mind, armed with the knowledge you\u2019re an interesting, fun person who is an asset to any group.<\/p>\n

Three perfectly balanced trips<\/b><\/h3>\n

Feed your soul in Morocco <\/b><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

A perfect mix of exhilaration and escapism, this magical Moroccan trip sees you exploring the Atlas mountains, sleeping out under the stars in the desert and taking in the foodie delights of Marrakech, before rebooting with three days of surfing and yoga.<\/p>\n

Make it so<\/a><\/p>\n

Tick off those bucket-list moments<\/b><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Bring out your inner Indiana Jones with this eight-day action-packed adventure in Jordan. From canyoning to sunset camel rides in the majestic Wadi Rum, this trip is guaranteed to recharge and reset.<\/p>\n

Count me in<\/a><\/p>\n

Get a taste for Mexico<\/b><\/p>\n

\"street<\/p>\n

Taking you off the well-worn Mexican tourist trail, this nine-day trip explores some of the country\u2019s most impressive ancient sites while also giving you a literal taste of the country\u2019s finest tequila and street food.<\/p>\n

I’m going to do it<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If you\u00a0think that group travel isn’t for the quiet, reflective type, think again The idea…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":64,"featured_media":77963,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9029],"tags":[107,629,464,433,768,443,336,662,434,485,460,436],"class_list":["post-24197","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel","tag-adventure","tag-being-single","tag-discover","tag-escape","tag-experience","tag-explore","tag-foodie","tag-friendship","tag-happiness","tag-meeting-new-people","tag-meeting-people","tag-mental-health"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.flashpack.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24197","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.flashpack.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.flashpack.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.flashpack.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/64"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.flashpack.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24197"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.flashpack.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24197\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.flashpack.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/77963"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.flashpack.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24197"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.flashpack.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24197"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.flashpack.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24197"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}