There’s something intoxicating about the idea of solo travel. The freedom. The independence. The “eat gelato alone at sunset and not explain it to anyone” kind of magic.
But let’s be real: for many women, the fantasy stops at the Pinterest board. Because while we might want the adventure, a whole lot of messy, real-life barriers come up the moment we even think about booking that solo flight.
Aquí tiene 14 painfully relatable reasons why some women avoid traveling alone, and 5 empowering strategies to start claiming space for yourself—even if it’s just a weekend away.
1. We’re Taught It’s “Unsafe” Without a Man
From childhood, we hear it: don’t go alone, don’t walk alone, don’t be alone. That fear sticks—and it’s real. But it doesn’t mean we have to stay small forever.
Safety talks usually come before we even learn to ride a bike. The echoes of concerned parents and cautionary tales shape the way we see the world. It’s not about ignoring risk—it’s about learning to move through it.
Did you know? Women who travel solo say that confidence grows with each trip. The first night might be nerve-wracking, but eventually, you learn to trust your gut. And sometimes, your gut is smarter than you think.
2. Guilt Packs Itself Before We Even Do
“Should I be spending this money?” “Will the kids be okay?” “Is it selfish to want this?” Newsflash: Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish—it’s survival.
Guilt shows up early, like a clingy ex who doesn’t know when to leave. It whispers that everyone else’s needs come first, especially if you’re a mom, partner, or caretaker. But the truth? Burnout happens fast when you never put yourself on the itinerary.
I once spent weeks justifying a weekend trip to myself before realizing: nobody was keeping score but me. A rested, happy you is the best gift to everyone around you. Guilt can come along, but it doesn’t get to decide your plans.
3. We Don’t Want to Be Seen as “Lonely”
There’s a bizarre shame society puts on women eating alone, traveling alone, existing alone. But here’s a secret: the real power move is doing it anyway.
Remember when eating solo in public felt like walking on stage in pajamas? That’s the script we’ve been handed. Truth is, people notice you much less than you think—and those who do might just be jealous of your confidence.
I used to bring a book everywhere as a comfort blanket. Slowly, I realized I loved the hush of my own thoughts, the freedom to eavesdrop, people-watch, and just be. Lonely? More like legendary. It’s not about being alone; it’s about owning your space.
4. We’ve Been Programmed to Wait on Someone Else’s Schedule
A boyfriend. A friend group. A sister. Waiting for everyone else to be “ready” means sometimes we never go. Spoiler: Go anyway.
How many group chats have fizzled out before anyone buys a ticket? I’ve lost count. Somehow, it always feels easier—and safer—to make plans depend on others.
But plans built on someone else’s timeline often end up as stories that never happen. The first time I booked a trip without waiting for anyone’s RSVP, it felt awkward—then wild, then liberating. Don’t let your dreams expire in the group chat.
5. We’re Scared We’ll Feel… Weird
What if we sit at a café and feel awkward? What if we look like we don’t belong? Guess what—you do belong. And awkward passes. Empowerment sticks.
Social jitters can sneak up even on confident travelers. That feeling of standing out, of not knowing the unspoken rules? You’re not alone in that. Every solo traveler has had a moment of “do I look out of place?”
But here’s the real talk: weird is temporary, but the feeling of pride after pushing through it lasts. Awkwardness fades, but the story of how you showed up for yourself is yours forever. Own your seat at the table.
6. We Feel Like We Don’t Deserve That Kind of Luxury
Some of us have been pouring into everyone else for so long, we don’t remember what it feels like to be poured into. You don’t need permission. You need a passport.
It’s wild how fast we accept “busy martyr” as a personality type. Luxury isn’t always about five-star hotels; sometimes it’s a quiet room, clean sheets, and time to think.
There’s no medal for exhaustion. The sooner you decide you’re worthy of rest and adventure, the better. Because you are. Take the trip and see how it feels to be the one getting all the attention, even if it’s just from yourself for a change.
7. We’re Afraid of Looking “Irresponsible”
Especially if you’re a mom. Or married. Or someone’s boss. But here’s the twist: your worth doesn’t disappear when you take a break. It expands.
There’s this idea that women must always be reliable, always on call. But guess what? Life isn’t a company time sheet. Nobody gets a gold star for burning out.
The bravest thing you might do all year could be using your own vacation days. People will adapt, and you’ll return with more patience and perspective. Let people raise their eyebrows. You’ll be raising your expectations for what’s possible for your own life.
8. We Think It Won’t Be Fun Without Someone Else
Sure, shared laughter is magic. But so is dancing alone in your hotel room in pajamas and eating room service fries in bed.
I used to think travel needed a buddy to be fun. Then I discovered my own company is more entertaining than I thought. Ever had an entire playlist, remote control, and bed to yourself? It’s a party for one, and you’re the VIP.
The best memories don’t always require witnesses. Sometimes, being the only one in the photo makes it even better. The magic isn’t missing—it’s just quieter, cheekier, and all yours.
9. We’re Used to Being the Planner for Everyone Else
And when it’s just for us? We freeze. No one else to accommodate? No tiny socks to pack? It feels foreign—and that’s exactly why it’s worth doing.
Ever notice how the mental load doubles when you’re in charge of everyone else’s fun? Planning for yourself can feel like a blank page—both scary and exciting.
Here’s the wild part: you get to pick everything. The food. The sights. The playlist. No compromises, no drama. It’s pure, unapologetic you, making it up as you go and discovering you’re a pretty great travel agent after all.
10. We Worry About the “What Ifs”
What if I get lost? What if I cry? What if I hate it? But also… what if you feel more alive than you have in years?
Worry likes to hitch a ride on every adventure. It’s relentless, tossing out scenarios that never happen. But sometimes, the worst-case scenario is just an overactive imagination.
Every single solo traveler has had a moment when a “what if” turned into “wow, I did that.” The trick isn’t to ignore fear—it’s to pack it up and bring it along for the ride. You’ll be surprised how quiet it gets when you start moving.
11. Our Inner Critic Gets Loud
“You’re not adventurous.” “You’re too old.” “You’ll get lonely.” That voice isn’t truth—it’s conditioning. And it doesn’t get to steer the plane.
If I had listened to my inner critic, I’d still be googling “fun things to do near me” and never leaving the house. Sometimes, the harshest words come from inside our own heads.
Here’s my favorite comeback: treat that voice like a pushy telemarketer. You don’t have to answer every call. The more you ignore it, the more exciting your inbox (and life) gets.
12. It Feels Emotionally Vulnerable to Be Alone
Yep. Because it is. You’ll hear your own thoughts without interruption. And some of them? Might just change your life.
Being alone strips away distractions. Suddenly, you’re face-to-face with your hopes, your fears, your secrets. It can feel a little raw, a little scary.
But vulnerability is where the good stuff hides—underneath the surface noise. The best conversations you’ll ever have might be the ones you have with yourself. And they start when you finally get quiet enough to listen.
13. We Think We Have to Go Far or Do Something Grand
Nope. A solo night at a local Airbnb with a good book and bad snacks? Still counts.
I used to believe real aventura required a passport stamp or a crazy flight. But joy can show up on your own block—if you let it. The pressure to “make it epic” is just more noise.
Sometimes the best solo trips are simple, close, and perfectly ordinary. All you need is permission to go. No need for a grand story. Just your own.
14. We’ve Been Taught to Make Ourselves Smaller
Smaller desires. Smaller needs. Smaller space. But the truth is, you are allowed to want more. Space. Freedom. Stillness. Joy.
There’s power in claiming your right to take up space—literally and metaphorically. The world will tell you to shrink, but every solo trip is a vote against that old programming.
I started tiny—an afternoon hike, a solo dinner, a day trip to nowhere special. Each time, I felt a little bigger. The world didn’t shrink. I expanded. Your permission slip is waiting.
15. Start Small—But Start Now
You don’t need to fly to Morocco. Book one night away. Take a solo hike. Go to lunch with a book and no explanation. Small steps = seismic shifts.
The first trip doesn’t have to be perfect or far. The win is in going, not in Insta-perfect photos. Every journey starts with one simple ‘yes.’
After a single, tiny getaway, you’ll realize how much bigger your world feels. Confidence comes from action, not planning. So, go ahead—circle a weekend and claim it. Your future self will thank you for even the smallest leap.
16. Remind Yourself Who You Are Outside the Noise
Get quiet enough to hear your own voice again. You’re not just a partner, mom, or employee. You’re a person with passions, curiosity, and dreams.
Solo time isn’t about escaping your life—it’s about remembering you have one, outside of all the roles you play. A little silence, a little sunlight, a lot of “oh hey, there I am.”
Once, I sat on a balcony with only my thoughts and a coffee. By the end, I remembered dreams I’d forgotten I had. It’s wild what you hear when the world goes quiet for a moment.
17. Let Guilt Ride Shotgun—But Don’t Let It Drive
Yes, guilt may show up. That’s okay. Let it be there. But go anyway. The guilt fades. The growth doesn’t.
Think of guilt as that backseat driver who never learned how to read a map. It can make noise, but it doesn’t pick the route. You’re the one steering.
The first time I ignored guilt and took a trip, I returned with stories, new friends, and a better sense of myself. Turns out, guilt is terrible at directions. You, on the other hand, know exactly where you want to go.
18. Pack Confidence Like a Carry-On
Confidence isn’t the absence of fear—it’s going with it. Walk like you belong (because you do). Speak up. Ask questions. You’re stronger than you think.
There’s something about rolling your own suitcase through departures that feels like a scene in a movie. Every step is proof that you can do things that scare you—sometimes in fabulous shoes.
Every time you ask directions, order dinner in broken Spanish, or try something new, you’re adding to your personal highlight reel. It’s not about being fearless. It’s about being brave enough to show up.
19. Make It a Ritual, Not a One-Time Thing
Solo space shouldn’t be a rare, fragile treat. Make it routine. Quarterly escape? Monthly solo date? You’re worth putting on your own calendar.
Once I committed to a solo ritual, it became something I anticipated instead of something I needed to justify. Suddenly, planning felt less selfish and more like a celebration.
The best part? The more often you do it, the easier—and more rewarding—it gets. Routine makes solo time normal. Make yourself the priority, not the backup plan.