I travel alone all the time. There's one thing everyone should do before taking their first solo trip.

• I don't recommend taking a big solo trip until you've practiced at home.
• I've gotten used to traveling by myself, but I wasn't always comfortable on my own in new places.
• Playing tourist in my own city prepared me for unaccompanied adventures in the US and abroad.

When it comes to seeing the world, some people don't want to wait for someone to go with.

Burned out by the stresses of work and life, more and more individuals are traveling solo to take a break and reconnect with themselves, especially millennials and Gen Z, as Business Insider previously reported.

From startup founders and finance bros to parents and social workers, individuals across backgrounds are getting in on the solo travel trend.

I've been at it for a while. Since I began working as a reporter in NYC seven years ago, I've traveled to 10 countries, three Canadian provinces, and dozens of cities and suburbs across the US all by myself.

Traveling solo is my norm, and I love it, but it certainly took some getting used to. Being alone in a new place can be daunting for first-timers. That's why I recommend one thing to everyone who is even considering traveling by themselves — practice.

Be a tourist in your own city

So, how do you practice for a solo trip? Treat your city like a destination. Explore it on your own. Get used to planning and executing days of activities and excursions without anyone else to rely on.

You can start small by visiting ticketed tourist attractions, so most of the planning is done for you. For example, before I started traveling solo, I visited observation decks atop New York City's tallest buildings.

Then I started planning more independently. I'd spend a whole day exploring one neighborhood. I even got creative by mapping out my own themed walking tours. I spent one day visiting the skinniest homes in the five boroughs, and another photographing historic carriage houses across the city. One December, I visited the iconic shooting locations from my favorite Christmas movie, "Elf."

I've also taken day trips to nearby off-the-beaten-path attractions, like an abandoned castle on the Hudson River and a Civil War fortress in Queens.

All of these excursions prepared me for weeklong solo trips in the US, Canada, and Europe, which included visiting multiple cities and traveling by train.

If you live in a suburb or rural area, your solo practice trip may look a little different than mine.

Maybe you'll visit a roadside attraction you pass by every morning on the way to work but have never seen up close. Perhaps you'll look up local events in your area, like a poetry slam at a coffee shop or a fitness class in the park. Or maybe you'll finally get to things you've never had time for, like a stroll through a farmers market or community garden. Rural residents may want to explore a nearby state or national park on a weekday, when the trails are less busy.

Try out new restaurants, visit quirky museums, or get a day pass to a country club, resort, or spa. If you're anxious about staying in hotels alone, book a stay so close to your house that you could drive there in the middle of the night if you really wanted to.

Whether you are intimidated by planning itineraries, navigating new neighborhoods, or simply spending time by yourself, facing your solo travel fears locally will prepare you to handle these challenges anywhere.