Still Brave — Just Different: How Age Changes the Way We Travel Solo

I stood in the cruise terminal in Casablanca, clutching my booking confirmation for a private tour and feeling... hesitant. Outside, a crowd of taxi drivers jostled for business — calling out, waving signs, scanning the faces of newly disembarked travellers. Years ago, I wouldn’t have thought twice about stepping straight into that scene, finding my guide, and setting off.

But this time, I waited. And waited. I didn’t even step outside until the very last minute.

I wasn’t afraid, exactly. But I was cautious — alert. And if I’m honest, tired and a little overwhelmed. I’d planned ahead for this very reason. I’d booked a tour with a trusted operator because I didn’t feel comfortable wandering the city alone as a western woman. Still, even with all the boxes ticked, I found myself hesitating.

That hesitation surprised me — and stayed with me.

In my 30s, I travelled with a kind of boldness. I jumped into things without always thinking. I assumed I’d figure it out. I walked through unfamiliar cities with confidence, rarely considering what might go wrong. But now? Now I travel with a little more care. A little more forethought. And, if I’m honest, a softer sense of myself.

It doesn’t mean I’m any less of a traveller. It doesn’t mean I’ve lost my nerve. It just means I’ve changed.

And if you’ve noticed that shift too — I want you to know: it’s OK.

Confidence Doesn’t Disappear — It Evolves

One of the biggest myths around solo travel is that confidence is constant — that once you’ve done it once, you’ll always be fearless. But the truth is, we’re always changing. And so are our needs.

As we get older, we notice more. We assess risk differently. We value comfort, safety, and reliability more deeply — not because we’re weak or anxious, but because we’ve lived enough life to know what matters. Our energy is more precious. Our peace more sacred. And our instincts? Sharper than ever.

So if you find yourself planning ahead more than you used to…

 If you book that airport transfer instead of winging it…

 If you opt for a guided tour where once you’d have gone it alone…

That’s not losing your independence. It’s protecting it.

There’s No Shame in Choosing Support

Somewhere along the line, we were taught that “real” solo travellers have to rough it. That booking a group tour or choosing a cruise or sticking with the familiar somehow makes the experience less valid.

I don’t buy that.

Choosing comfort isn’t a sign of giving up — it’s a sign of tuning in. If having someone meet you at the terminal gives you peace of mind, do it. If staying in a hotel with 24-hour reception makes you feel safer, book it. If travelling with a group of other women brings you joy and connection, embrace it.

You don’t need to prove anything. You only need to feel good in your own skin and safe in your surroundings.

Travelling Differently, Not Less

These days, I travel more slowly. I eat dinner earlier. I skip the 7am excursions in favour of a lie-in and a quiet coffee. And I take more time to be in a place rather than rush through a checklist.

The joy is still there. But it’s a different kind of joy. It’s gentler. Deeper. Sometimes quieter — but always richer.

Wherever You Are in Your Solo Travel Journey — You’re Welcome

Whether you’re packing a backpack or checking a suitcase, hopping on a tour or heading off alone, walking confidently into a new city or hesitating just outside the door…

You're not less brave than you were.

You're not falling behind.

You’re just travelling differently. And there is so much beauty in that.

You’ve grown. You’ve changed. And your travel style is simply evolving to reflect the woman you’ve become. A woman who knows what she needs. A woman who values her energy. A woman who is still curious, still courageous, and still utterly allowed to explore this world — on her terms.

Take a quiet moment and ask yourself:

“How has the way I travel changed as I’ve grown older — and what new needs or joys am I discovering now?”

 Let your answers guide how you plan your next adventure — gently, intentionally, beautifully.

A Personal Note from Me to You

If you’re reading this and nodding, perhaps with a lump in your throat like I had writing it — please know you’re not alone.

This journey, this shift, this tender self-awareness… it’s part of the beauty of solo travel in midlife and beyond. You get to choose how you explore. You get to honour who you are now. And I’m here to help you do just that — with comfort, care and courage.

Here’s to slower mornings, safer spaces, deeper connections, and every kind of adventure that calls to you now.

So, when you're ready to embark on the journey of a lifetime, the world is waiting for you and I'm here to help you discover it. Join the Going Solo Facebook group and let's wander, connect, and grow—together.