A solo traveling influencer became emotional as she revealed the downsides of her nomadic lifestyle – admitting her mental health was at an all-time low and she now suffers from panic attacks.
Ella Jae, 21, from Sydney, set out on her first solo adventure in 2022 and has since been traveling alone around the world for two years, while documenting her efforts online.
Despite the exotic places the content creator has traveled to, Ella recently posted videos on her TikTok admitting that living on permanent vacation has its downsides, even when it looks perfect on social media.
She has now revealed that she has felt isolated and alone since she started traveling alone, and announced that she was “shortening her solo trip” to return home because she feels she “needs help.”
“There are a lot of things at stake here and there are a lot of reasons why I will come home.” she explained in a video posted on his TikTok.
Solo travel influencer Ella Jae, 21, from Sydney, revealed the downsides of her nomadic lifestyle and admitted her mental health was at an all-time low.
She set out on her first solo adventure in 2022 and has since been traveling alone around the world for two years.
‘The first is that I no longer enjoy traveling like I used to. Especially in Central and South America where I speak English and I don’t speak Spanish.
“I just think I need to have the support of my friends and the people I love.”
“I’m struggling a lot with being alone and I can’t do it independently anymore,” she admitted.
“I have experienced it fully as much as possible and I don’t get from it what I used to,” the weary traveler continued, adding that she now feels sufficiently independent.
She, who said she travels basically “full time,” went on to explain, “I’m at a point in my life now where I need to lean on people and I can’t lean on myself anymore because I really don’t think I can.” I’m gonna go crazy.
The content creator assured her followers that she still wants to make traveling a part of her life, but added that she has come to the conclusion that she prefers to do it with other people.
“It’s normal to need a turn and want a turn (and) I’ve already fully experienced what solo travel has to offer,” he revealed.
Ella’s other reason for wanting to shorten her trip was due to the relationships she had formed while traveling, admitting that she no longer wanted to make short transactional connections.
Despite the exotic places the content creator has traveled to, Ella posted videos on her TikTok admitting that living on permanent vacation has its downsides, even when it looks perfect online.
She said she wants to return to the places she planned to visit when she’s ready and in a better state of mind.
“It can be very, very exhausting going to shelters and having people walk through your life,” she added.
“You finally meet someone and you finally build a connection and then they leave or you leave, so you can’t always align plans or travel together, you end up recycling the same conversation.”
While she acknowledges that the friendships she formed were “beautiful”, Ella said she is now at a point in her life where she wants to foster deeper relationships with the old friends she left behind in Sydney.
‘I haven’t been able to (foster deeper friendships) because I’ve been going out and traveling and developing these temporary connections, and there’s no stability in that.
She admitted that her mental health has gotten so bad that she can’t even leave her hotel room.
She explained that she no longer enjoys traveling like she used to, adding that she feels isolated and alone since traveling alone.
Ella’s comments section was filled with messages of support from her followers, many of whom said they could relate.
“I can’t share a room because I’m too fragile,” she continued. “And even if I go out, I don’t find joy in things and it feels like a waste to be in such a beautiful place and not enjoy it.”
She said she wants to return to the places she planned to visit when she’s ready and in a better state of mind.
Despite her difficulties, Ella urged her followers not to let her video discourage them from taking a solo trip, saying it’s still the “best decision” she’s ever made.
“I still want to inspire people,” he insisted. “I think you know when your time is up and if I’m in a state like this I shouldn’t be doing this right now; it’s the opposite of what I need.”
Ella’s comments section was filled with messages of support from her followers, many of whom said they could relate.
“I’ve traveled alone a lot (when I was) younger and once my brain started developing more, I craved people to share experiences with,” one person shared.
‘Travelling alone is BRILLIANT when you’re in the mood and HELL when you’re not. Sounds like a great decision, getting home safely,’ encouraged another.
“You’re not letting anyone down,” someone else assured. ‘Your posts bring joy no matter where you are. You are doing amazing by sharing this message.”
‘This is exactly the right decision. Well done! gushed a different user.