One of the other important aspects of travel, for safety reasons, is to disappear from other peoples' perception. It sounds cheesy, but becoming invisible to others is one of the best ways to stay safe. You'll stand out less and be able to slip by others more easily.
The following is an amalgamation of all the info I gathered from various websites with their own different techniques. Using these together should help. If something feels unnatural, though, don't do it- you might stand out more when you force yourself to act differently.
How to "disappear:"
- Don't hold eye contact too often or for too long- you're less memorable this way.
- Act like you belong everywhere you go, but don't overcompensate and seem arrogant.
- Wear duller clothes- nothing too flashy.
- Cover up tattoos.
- Avoid recognizable brand names on your clothing or bag. Someone wearing "Nike sweatpants" is easier to find than someone wearing "black and white sweatpants," if that makes sense.
- Avoid looking like you have something to hide. You have every right to be who you are, where you are.
If you really don't want to be recognized:
- Change your hair color (dye) or your haircut. Cut it shorter if it's long, let it grow if it's short.
- Wear a casual hat such as a baseball cap. It can be discarded at a moment's notice, quickly changing how you look.
- Remove/swap out piercings. Facial piercings, while cool as hell, are unfortunately very distinct.
- Change how you smell. Deodorant, shampoo/conditioner, body soap, cologne/perfume- all of it creates a distinct scent, so by changing any or all of these, it changes one of the ways people or animals might recognize you.
Online tracelessness
It's difficult to reserve privacy in this online era. To avoid being tracked as much as one might be otherwise, delete social media such as Instagram or Facebook. Switch email services from gmail or others to more secure providers such as Proton or Tutamail. Avoid posting about the location you're currently at. Don't disclose travel plans publicly, either. Remember this simple fact of the internet: once something is put online, it is near-impossible to remove.
Carrying cash is an underrated way to combat online tracking. No one can spy on a cash transaction. Companies won't be able to track when, where, why, or how you bought something.