Hi friends, and thanks for stopping by to read Conquer the Fear, Claim the Adventure. A solo woman’s travel manifesto!
I’m a member of a Facebook group for women over 50 who travel solo. Many of us share our adventures there and answer questions from others looking to travel to a destination we’ve already been to. There are also women who are interested in travelling solo who are looking for encouragement.
Recently one woman left a comment asking if we feel anxious booking airfare because there are so many reported accidents with airlines. Hmmm… not so sure about using the word “many”. My response went to the effect of a plane that never leaves the airport is safe, but that’s not what planes are built for.
And then I said this:
You either let fear guide you, or you conquer your fears and go have adventures.
Cheryl @ The Lifestyle Digs
Let that sink in for a moment.
Because if you’re reading this, there’s a part of you that wants to go … somewhere. Maybe it’s a beach in Bali. Maybe it’s a mountain trail in Peru. Maybe it’s just getting on a bus and seeing where it takes you. But then… that little voice chimes in:
What if it’s not safe? What if I get lost? What if I can’t handle it alone?
I get it. Fear is loud, especially for women. We’re taught to be careful. To stay in our comfort zones. To wait for the “right time” or a travel companion. But here’s the truth: fear doesn’t disappear on its own. It either calls the shots. Or you do.
Solo woman travel fears
Traveling solo as a woman isn’t about pretending the fears don’t exist. It’s about acknowledging them, then packing them in your suitcase with your hiking boots and sunscreen, and go anyway.
Here’s what happens when you do:
- You become your own best friend. You discover how resourceful, strong, and capable you really are.
- You stop waiting. No more missed trips because your friend bailed or your partner wasn’t interested.
- You say yes to life. To spontaneous invitations. To local food you can’t pronounce. To dancing in the street with strangers.
- You realize you’re braver than you thought. And suddenly, that confidence spills into every other part of your life.
Worried about safety?
Of course you are. Because you’re smart. But smart doesn’t mean scared. Smart means:
- Booking your first night’s accommodation in advance
- Carrying a cross-body bag or fanny pack and a backup credit card
- Letting someone know where you are
- Trusting your gut when something doesn’t feel right
You can take precautions and take the leap.
The biggest lie?
That you need someone else to go with you.
You don’t. You only need you.
Your curiosity. Your courage. Your willingness to show up for yourself. The world is waiting. Not for the fearless, but for the women who are willing to feel the fear and go anyway
So where are you going next?
Solo cafe moment
On my Big Eurail Adventure I found myself in Budapest for a night. After walking back from the Danube River I ended up eating dinner at a little cafe with tables on the sidewalk.
There was just something empowering about eating mediocre pasta and drinking a lemonade made from sparkling water (not my favorite) and saying to myself: “Yeah, I’m in Budapest!” Like what the hell am I doing here? Hungary was never on my radar.
Wouldn’t you love to have one of these oddball moments while dining solo?
Feet on the trail
I don’t consider myself an avid hiker, but I made my way to the north of Spain to walk the Camino de Santiago. That’s about 800km or 500 miles. My feet did a whole bunch of walking on that trail.
Yeah I did it!
Here’s a light moment of laughter shared with others at the wine wall.
No-fly airlines?
Let’s get back to the original question about all these airline disasters. Sure, they’ll make the news. But car accidents are more frequent than airline accidents. How many auto accidents do we hear about in the news? Only local ones. I’m sure there are many car accident fatalities around the world that most of us never hear about.
Let’s get back to no-fly airlines. Are there any airlines that I won’t board?
You betcha!
Call it bad vibes or call it whatever you want, but I’m not tempting fate flying with Malaysia Airlines. Whatever happened to MH370 in 2014?
A few months later Malaysia Airlines flight 17 was shot down by the Russians.
Here’s a blogger that compiled records of the worst airlines to fly from safety records to customer service.
And just in case there was any doubt, I will never set foot on Air Transat ever again!
Freedom!
Here I am standing on a mountain in Scotland. This windblown shot captures the essence of freedom as a solo female traveller.
It’s one of my favorite shots. Taken with a little help from another passenger on the bus!
So, what do you think? Are you ready to conquer the fear and claim the adventure? Tell me where you’re going! Leave a comment below!
Published by Cheryl @ The Lifestyle Digs on September 4, 2025.
