my first solo trip to edinburgh 🏰overcoming my travel anxiety

this video chronicles my first ever solo trip, to Edinburgh, Scotland. i overcome all my anxieties (sort of), visit beautiful book shops and natural parcs, and do a lot of reading in coffeeshops :) hope you enjoy!

🌼 s o c i a l m e d i a
• twitter: @thebookleo
• instagram: @thebookleo

🌺 a b o u t m e
Hi! My name is Leonie and I am a 25 year old girl from the Netherlands who loves talking about books! From YA to non-fiction to classics, I read it all (although fantasy will always be my fave).

🌹 m u s i c
Music, art, and video by Jokabi

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[valeryf]

“It honestly really scares me. Because of that, I felt that I should do it” ❤❤ Truly words to live by!

[pati]

I HAVE SO MUCH TO SAY ABOUT THIS VIDEO

1. your new haircut? Stunning! Gorgeous! Outright beautiful! It suits you so well
2. I love your vlogs so much. They are just the coziest thing on the internet and you can really feel how much time and effort you put into them. 🥹
3. looking so forward to the e-reader video! I‘m debating getting one for myself but I just love physical books so much

[nisimanic]

As a Person who travels alone quite often (flight attendant) I can‘t recommend alone trips enough. If you get used to being comfortable on your own that really gives a confidence boost. I just spend time as I want, without second thought. You wouldn‘t believe how fun the Cinema can be on your own, or spending a day at the beach, or a Museum, or even visiting the Universal Studios.

[gracevrogerson]

"Things probably will go wrong, and you'll be fine anyway" is SUCH an important life lesson! Also your hair looks CUTE AS HECK

[bee]

as someone who travels alone very often (and has social anxiety), i can't recommend hostels enough. i understand some people don't enjoy sharing a room (totally valid), but these places often have common areas and lots of other solo travelers. and they usually offer private rooms as well. you can get to know people and then you also don't have to worry as much about eating dinner alone. you can go eat in a restaurant or cook together in the hostel. (i also just accept that sometimes the anxiety is too much and that it's okay to fall back on things that are comfy like take away or fast food.)

you did well! taking the first step is always the hardest. it was nice to be able to join you in this adventure through this vlog :) i hope you had a great time.

[stefanienordstrom]

Love the new do! I used do solo travel for work (and then for fun). What worked best for me for dinner was to sit up at the bar. Bartenders are paid to take care of you - which usually meant small talk about why I traveled there and what they recommend I do - esp what to order. They are good are reading if you want to talk a lot or just a bit. Also they would notice if unwanted attention was sent my way and deter that best they could. I always left a good tip because they made the solo experience so much more manageable.

[pp]

I am from New Zealand, and I am travelling solo to Edinburgh, My Anxiety Level is off the roof, from the day my leave got approved. I feel you.Glad I bumbed into your video. Seems its normal to feel that way.

[maudeb]

This video feels like a hug. I never (like ever) comment on youtube videos but this one just felt so warm, so calm, so real. I went to edinburgh last summer and it is now one of my goal to live there. As you said: This city is a dream. From the buildings to the people, it just feels like home. I am so so so grateful to have found your vlog ! (Btw I am from Paris and I would love to give you some adresses if you plan a trip to Paris :) )

[chiaraLT]

Very impressive and refreshing to see someone choosing to travel by train instead of taking an easy flight. Kudos!!

[nymeria]

Traveling solo is so much fun! I did my first solo trip when I was 15, and my most recent at 27. You just get to see a different side of the place and of yourself. I think we anxious travelers actually make good solo travelers because we plan and prepare for every eventuality. Hope your knee trouble resolves well!

[conversations_with_kara]

congrats on conquering your fear of travelling alone leonie!!! edinburgh is such a gorgeous city to commemorate such an occasion 🥹 i travelled alone for the first time as well last year (to ireland from south africa) — it's so freeing to do what you want when you want in a whole new place with fresh eyes!

[quzsvsx]

Yessss this is my absolute favourite genre of video: girl goes on a solo trip and becomes even more confident and amazing. I hope there'll be more bookish solo trips in your future Leonie because this is absolutely a dream come true for someone who almost exclusively watches videos on books and videos on solo trips!😊

[ALANL]

As an Edinburgh resident if your a solo traveller looking to meet people to chat most locals are happy to chat but are rarely found around bars or restaurants on the royal mile.

The best places to meet people would be places like Finnegans wake, Biddy Mulligans, Oz Bar, Wash bar(right on the mound). Theres also lots of pages on facebook to help solo travellers meet

[kimhugi]

I was in London recently and me and my boyfriend went to a pub to have a drink. And next to us there was this older gentleman with his pint of beer reading a book and I thought it was the nicest thing ever! I was just imagining he just wanted to have a drink and read his book or maybe his wife annoyed him and he just went to the pub and he just seemed so peaceful and that’s definitely the peacefulness and confidence I strive for😝

[pendragon]

Edinburgh is a beautiful city. Visited there twenty long years ago and enjoyed it immensely. I love the haircut and thanks for the opportunity to visit vicariously. 🙂

[Rotwood]

I'm so happy for you. Facing fears and trying something new for the first time is incredible. The next time you solo travel, you'll feel even more confident and brave.

[friendly-bq]

Travelling solo is the best, the most complete and authentic experience of a place you can have. I travelled solo myself to Edinburgh many years ago and it was great. I never get lonely when I am alone, I guess I am a little bit of a weirdo. Thank you Leoni for another wonderful video !!

[heidiuscrap]

Just visited Edinburgh in September. I love history and reading historical fiction and was in my element while there. Thank you for bringing back wonderful memories of my trip there. My anxiety would never allow me to travel alone so kudos to you!

[pinkaki]

I also travelled by myself to Edinburgh recently and I too felt lonely and kind of frustrated with myself for not socialising as much as I had planned. But spending time alone and reading my book in beautiful cafes was exactly what I needed :) Edinburgh is perfect for first-time solo travellers!

[daverushambuza]

You have done so well ! If you are eating alone, bring a good book to read. Another advantage of travelling alone is that if somewhere doesn’t suit, you can just leave and go somewhere else. As you have stated in your video, you can plan your daily schedule.