Building Your Confidence

There’s something powerful about booking a trip for one. No travel buddy, friends, or family. No shared itinerary. Just you and a new place waiting to be explored. Be aware there are some common fears and misconceptions about solo traveling: most solo travelers are in their 20s, I can’t do it on my own, I’m not brave or independent enough to be able to go all by myself. Your first solo trip can bring a mountain of emotions: excitement, inspiration, fear, and panic. However you’re feeling, just remember, we can relate. The first time is the hardest.  Solo travel can be a great way to build confidence, independence, and self discovery. You are only relying on yourself. You are in charge of everything. You can plan, initiate, navigate and crush solo traveling! 

I still get anxiety before each trip I take. I have so much excitement planning the trip and then the anxiety hits, usually when I’m at the airport, but now I know that’s normal for me. I am always thrilled when I land in a new country. People always ask me before a trip, “aren’t you excited?” and the honest answer is “no,” not until I arrive in my destination. 

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Why 40+ Is the Perfect Time for Solo Travel

When you reach your 40s your self-awareness and maturity levels have grown and you become more comfortable with yourself. You learn to appreciate the qualities you have. You have more self-confidence and trust yourself.

For many people you have more financial stability and better money management skills than you did when you were younger. You plan more for travel expenses and have a budget (many people, yes, me still no) to avoid stress during or after your trip when you return and see your spending. And with age, usually comes more financial flexibility and confidence in your decision-making skills.

Motivation can shift from just general travel to more meaningful experiences. When I was younger or when I was traveling with friends, I went to clubs, danced, stayed out all night and just had different priorities. Not to say these things are bad, of course, just different. My perspective has now changed.  I’m more aware of cultural practices and I appreciate shared experiences with other people. I notice things I didn’t pay attention to before.

Solo travel in your 40s often comes with more intentionality. Maybe you’re escaping a routine, navigating a life transition, or finally checking that dream destination off your list. You have a desire to reconnect with yourself away from work, relationships, or routine.

*If you’re traveling and looking for things to do, I highly recommend GetYourGuide. I use them for tons of days trips and excursions. So if you’re not feeling up to going alone, this could be the perfect option for you. Check it out below.

The Confidence Barrier: Fears of Traveling Alone

Many people hesitate to plan that first trip, it’s normal. Even with all the awareness and independence, many of us worry.  

“What if I get lonely?”

Well, you can be lonely at home too. What do you do when you feel lonely at home? You can do those things when you travel too. Maybe it’s going for a walk outside or calling a friend. You can do that when you’re traveling solo too. Give yourself a little boost. We all need that sometimes.

“What if something goes wrong?”

Unfortunately, you can’t always plan for everything. Things happen that are out of our control. How you handle it is what matters. If you get lost, ask a local for help. Seek out other tourists for information, they are usually easy to spot. You can go into a hotel, gas station, or store and ask for information. I have found that most people are willing to help. Try and keep the panic to a minimum, I know it’s hard, but remember you CAN do this.

“What will other people think?”

I think this often, why, I just don’t know. Maybe it’s that lack of confidence that creeps into my mind. Maybe I feel judged. Whatever it is, you just have to push those ideas out of your mind. There are social pressures too – being settled or having specific things by a certain age. This I personally relate to being single without children at my age. Remind yourself we all go at our own pace in life and we all want different things.

“Am I too old for this adventure?”

The answer is NO. You can start anything new at any time. You can learn a new skill or start a new hobby at any age. People go back to school to advance their careers or change careers later in life. People learn languages, start cooking, and many other new things well beyond their 40s.

These fears are real, and you’re not alone. But the truth is, confidence can grow during the trip. Every challenge you face while solo traveling becomes proof that you are capable, resourceful, and braver than you thought. 

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How Solo Travel Builds Self-Confidence

Solo travel forces you to make every decision. Choosing where to stay, figuring out public transportation and solving unexpected problems. You are relying completely on yourself and the confidence comes from realizing you can do it. It might feel overwhelming at first, but after a few small successes you start to trust yourself.  You strengthen your voice. You are asking for directions, making new friends, asking for help when you need it and saying no when things don’t feel right. You can embrace that discomfort and see growth from it. You prove to yourself that you are capable and resilient. That self-reliance is empowering and it sticks with you long after the trip ends.

Tips to Build Confidence Before and During Your Trip

If solo travel feels intimidating, start small. Take a weekend trip close to home, or visit a country where the culture or language feels somewhat familiar. Research and plan basic things to feel prepared, including accommodation, transportation and safety, but leave room for spontaneity. You’ll run across things you want to do while you wander the beautiful city streets. 

Join group tours or classes to meet other travelers and locals. Want to learn how to make paella? Sign up for a cooking class. Want to ride a bike around the island? Book a bike tour with a group leader to show you around. There are a lot of options, you just need to decide what you want to do.

Stay in guesthouses, hostels or other accommodations for solo travelers to make connections with others. Hostels are a great way to meet people and they sometimes organize events as well. I stayed at a hostel in Spain where they had dinner together every night and cooked different foods from around the world. It was affordable and I met a lot of people under a less stressful environment. 

Keep a travel or photo journal. Take time out of your day to reflect on how you’re feeling.  It’s a great way to record memories and it keeps things fresh in your mind.  It reminds you of how far you’ve come. Day one usually looks different than day five, but if it doesn’t, that’s ok too. 

Finally, give yourself some grace. It’s ok to feel nervous, make mistakes and have ups and downs while traveling. You’re growing and learning as you go. Don’t focus on the challenges as much as the triumphs. Celebrate the small wins. 

What You Gain From Traveling Solo 

Solo traveling gives you something deeper, a new perspective. You can build a stronger sense of self. Proof that you can do hard things even with that sense of fear and conquer it. You’ll have created a deeper understanding of yourself and an independence within yourself. You might find confidence in other areas of your life- work, relationships or career. You will have a mindset shift that stays with you after your trip ends. I found this after my first trip abroad. My mindset completely shifted, I saw things in a whole new perspective. I felt stronger and more relaxed. 

Final Thoughts

If you need a reset, a new adventure or a chance to get out of your comfort zone, solo travel might be exactly what you need. If not now, then when? You don’t have to wait until the perfect time, partner or plan. You don’t even need to have everything figured out yet. You just need a little courage and to just do it, go. Buy that plane ticket. Start with that. Go solo and come back stronger.

*Need help planning your trip? Check out Expedia to lessen your stress.

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