Finding the Courage to Travel Solo After 50

I wish I had the courage to travel solo…

I’m afraid to travel on my own, but I'm not getting younger.

I don’t feel very brave but I want to see some of the world before its too late

It’s easy to get in our head that once we’re over 50 its to late to travel on our own…

Or that it takes some kind of different courage to step out into the world alone.

You’re not alone if you’ve felt that knot in your stomach, wanting to explore the world on your own terms but feeling like fear is holding you back.

I’ve been in the same place…

When my husband could no longer travel it was blow to my heart.

We have always loved to travel and explore together.

I had this belief in my head that we could travel even more now that he is retired and I have a lot more flexibility with my businesses.

But, life doesn’t take us in a straight line... 

I suddenly found myself with the prospect of not traveling or traveling alone.

I knew not traveling was NOT and option but still…

I was filled with trepidation on the prospect of being in foreign countries where English might or might not be the native language.

I worried about how safe it would be…

In my head I thought I would stick out like a sore thumb with neon sign over my head saying “she’s traveling alone”.

The thought of eating in restaurants alone on my own filled my already introvert nature with dread.

I was concerned about getting lost and having to ask for directions and looking obviously on my own and vulnerable.

I also had it my head that because I wasn’t 25 anymore that for some reason it was too late!

And like most women I had it my head that others would judge me for taking off and leaving my husband behind…

That I was being selfish. 

But most of all I faced the prospect of just being lonely because I would be on my own.

First off I want to reassure you that you are not alone in having those thoughts…

You would be amazed how many other women have those same thoughts.

And the good news is that so many other women including myself have pushed through all those gremlin thoughts in our heads to be able to travel.

But how exactly do we do it?

Acknowledge The Fear

Well first off we really want to overcome our fear.

So step 1 in conquering fear is to acknowledge it.

You don’t have to be fearless, but you do have to be willing to take small, manageable steps. 

I remember taking a weekend trip to Vancouver an hour flight away from where I live.

I had even lived in the city many years ago but still the flutter of excitement and anxiety were both there.

From checking into my hotel on my own, to eating at a restaurant on my own overlooking the water was all a new experience.

I went shopping in the local mall and streets and pretended I was a local living there.

Remember nobody knows you are a tourist and not a local unless you behave like one and look like one!

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But it was totally doable.

Was I uncomfortable to begin with - HECK YES!

Did I feel totally different by the end of the weekend - HECK YES!

So taking baby steps is a great way to overcoming fear.

Take A Solo Trip Close To Home

And that baby step can be something like traveling somewhere close to home.

I would even go so far as to say, go stay in a hotel right there in your home city and act like a tourist and do what a tourist would do.

The language is the same and getting around and the places to see and do things are all familiar yet…

you are doing it solo!

I know, I can hear you this all sounds so basic but it really does help you ease into the idea of being on your own without the additional stress of being in a foreign environment. 

Remember, celebrate your success no matter how small it may seem… 

It builds your confidence over time.

And by the way the bonus is you get to know some things that you either never knew or had forgotten about your home turf.

Preparing Helps Reduce Anxiety

Now the Confidence Booster is PREPARATION…

This one was an easier step. I do loooove planning a trip. 

From the moment I get an idea I’m already on my trip haha.

But if this is not your natural or favorite space read on…

Confidence from knowing what the future or that new thing looks like.

Research your destination, find safe accommodations, and build an itinerary that excites you but also gives you a sense of structure. 

And by having a Plan A you can also think through some of the “what ifs” if things don’t quite go to plan.

For example I when I book my flights I look at the other flights around that time with the same airline and different airlines that I could take if something happened to my scheduled flight.

That way you not only have a Plan A but Plan B.

Knowing is knowledge and that creates a level of certainty and predictability.

Knowing that you have a plan in place can ease a lot of those jitters…

And you’re also more prepared if something unexpected happens, you will be far more prepared to adapt.

All these little things add up to a truck load of confidence and the courage to take that step to book that trip.

My classic example was I had a huge solo trip planned for 5 weeks traveling to Thailand, Australia and than to New Zealand my birth country.

I left at the beginning of February 2020….

Yep you got it… the start of COVID before it became big time COVID.

Now no amount of planning was going to prepare me for a pandemic while traveling. 

But with all my planning as the reality of COVID emerged I was able to think through the remainder of my travel and the options I had.

Thats all thanks to having a plan in the first place.

Traveling Solo Doesn't Mean Being Alone

There are also plenty of ways even as a GIANT INTROVERT (Ummm that would totally be me) to NOT be alone when traveling solo.

I chose a health and wellness retreat in Thailand specifically because it has a high guest rate of women traveling on their own and…

You could choose to dine on your own or at a communal table.

I deliberately also chose some activities with small groups like taking a cooking class.

I am not into the organized tour group thing but thats a personal preference.

There are communities online that you can join to see how other women cope when traveling solo and many of the woman organize to meet up if you are visiting their country.

One of my favourite things to do is to hire a Private Guide. You might be surprised how affordable this is.

I do a lot of research ahead of my trip and deliberately seek out female entrepreneurial guides. 

I have found this such a rich experience and can feel like you are going out with a friend or your daughters 🙂

Wrapping up…

And last not but least in wrapping up…

Traveling is a journey both geographically and and also emotionally.

Even after all the solo trips I have taken I still get pangs of loneliness but I know they pass because I have the experience of my previous trips to fall back on to guide me.

And my joy of experiencing the world is far outweighed by that initial trepidation.

It’s meant to be fun, full of different and new experiences and bottom line internal growth.

So cheers to that trip you know you are going to book and embark on with confidence!!!

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Female Travelers Over 50 By Raewyn Crist: @FemaleTravelers50Plus

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So cheers to wheels up to winging your way to your long dreamed of destination.