We women often face additional hurdles when it comes to traveling alone. Fears or societal expectations often hold us back. But what if we break through these self-imposed limits and just go for it? With courage and (self-)confidence.
STEP BY STEP
Picture yourself standing at the airport – carry-on in one hand, passport and boarding pass in the other. A few minutes ago, you said goodbye to your loved ones. You’re leaving them behind for a while, along with your familiar surroundings and comfort zone. For days now, your stomach has been in knots just thinking about this moment. This moment that sends shivers down your spine but that you’ve been longing for. Your heart is beating and dancing to the rhythm of Samba, because you know: on the other side of the gate lies the world – unknown, exciting, challenging.
Can you feel it? Or do you struggle? When even the smallest thought of adventure crosses your mind, does that whispering voice of worry start spinning its web of doubts in your brain, uninvited but relentless? “This isn’t for you,” “Others can do this… but not YOU,” “You’re not brave enough,” “You’re not strong enough,” “How could you possibly leave xyz behind and just do what you want?”
Hmm… And then there’s your comfort zone. Warm, cozy, and safe. Do you really want to step out of it? Do you dare?
We women often face additional hurdles when it comes to traveling alone. Fears or societal expectations often hold us back. But what if we break through these self-imposed limits and just go for it? With courage and (self-)confidence?
In this article, we’ll talk about exactly that. How we can let go of doubts and fears, leave our comfort zones, and finally make our dreams a reality. Because one thing is clear: life doesn’t wait for us. Every postponed dream is a missed adventure. So, let’s be brave and conquer the world – step by step.
DOUBTS: A NATURAL COMPANION
Doubts are completely normal. Every person facing a big challenge knows this feeling. Whether it’s a trip to foreign lands, a career change, or a shift in personal life.
Our nervous system often responds to the unknown with stress or fear because, first and foremost, it’s designed to protect us. From an evolutionary perspective, the familiar meant safety, while the unknown carried potential dangers. So when we dare to try something new, our brain automatically triggers the “fight-or-flight” mode. This mechanism dates back to a time when survival often depended on quick reactions to threats.
Even though many of these dangers no longer exist, the nervous system still rebels against anything unknown and therefore “unsafe,” aiming to protect us and keep us in our comfort zone. But within the comfort zone, personal growth and brave decisions are nearly impossible. What was once a protective reaction from nature often becomes a dead end for our dreams. However, there are ways out. Here are a few:
5 WAYS TO OVERCOME THE FIGHT-OR-FLIGHT MODE
Acceptance: The first step to overcoming doubts is to acknowledge them. Yes, there are risks, yes, there are uncertainties. But they are part of life. The art lies in accepting these doubts without letting them paralyze you.
Breathing exercises and meditation can help calm the nervous system. For example, the 4-7-8 breathing technique (inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7 seconds, exhale for 8 seconds) promotes a sense of calm and relaxation.
Movement: Emotion = Energy in Motion. Movement helps reduce stress. Whether it’s yoga, jogging, or dancing… let it out!!
Talk to others about your fears: Sometimes a different perspective is all it takes to reveal a worry as irrational. Connecting with women who have already done what you want to do can be especially helpful. Women who have traveled alone can share their experiences on how they overcame their fears and worries. It’s incredibly motivating. If others can do it, so can you!
Do it anyway: Imagine how many adventures we miss out on by always playing it safe. There’s a saying: “Courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to act in spite of it.” If you want to do something – then do it. If you’re scared – do it scared.
CONCERNS: WHAT COULD GO WRONG?
But let’s take another closer look at your concerns. When we ask ourselves “What could go wrong?” our brain often gets very creative. It imagines the wildest scenarios, painting colorful pictures of everything that could go wrong. And there’s a lot. What did your colleague mention the other day? And didn’t you just read in the paper yesterday that…?
When we think about traveling alone, many questions arise: “What if I get lost?”, “What if I feel unsafe?”, “What if I don’t find anyone to talk to?”
These concerns are valid, but they shouldn’t dictate our actions. Instead, we should use them as guides – as challenges that show us where we can grow.
Let’s start with safety, one of the biggest concerns for women traveling alone. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but we can make smart decisions. Do your research ahead of time about your destination: Which neighborhoods are safe? Which modes of transport are recommended? And yes, even far from home, you can remain alert and confident without letting fear guide you.
Another concern is loneliness. Many fear feeling alone when traveling without a companion. But let’s try a shift in perspective here: being alone doesn’t mean being lonely. There are so many opportunities to meet people along the way – whether in hostels, on city tours, or just exploring new places. The key is to stay open and curious.
And then there are the small logistical worries: “What if I miss my connecting flight?”, “What if I can’t find my accommodation?” These concerns are often much bigger in our heads than in reality. With a bit of preparation and calm, most of these situations are easy to handle. Plus, experience shows that in these situations, unexpected help often comes along.
Often, in hindsight, you realize that an initially unpleasant situation may have been for the best. If you hadn’t missed your flight, maybe you wouldn’t have met that other solo female traveler on the next plane. Or later you might find out that everyone at the accommodation you originally wanted to stay in was dissatisfied.
And even if nothing good comes from the situation: it becomes a story you can tell later. Every mistake, every little mishap becomes part of your adventure.
If you want to do something concrete to ease your worries, try this:
Write a list: What are you worried about when you think about traveling alone as a woman?
Cross off all the things you can’t control or influence.
Look at what’s left. Write down one or two steps you can take. Most worries come from the feeling of being stuck, powerless, and unprepared. Small but clearly defined action steps can help here.
LEAVING YOUR COMFORT ZONE: THE FIRST STEP
Now comes the hardest part: taking the first step. It’s not easy to leave behind the familiar and jump into the unknown. Our comfort zone is cozy; it gives us security. But real change, real growth, only happens outside this comfort zone.
As I said, the key is to take small steps. You don’t have to embark on a world tour right away or completely change your life overnight. Start small. Maybe with a weekend trip to a nearby city. Sit alone in a café or ask strangers for help finding a restaurant, for example. You’ll quickly realize – nothing bad happens.
The key is to trust yourself. On your journey, you will meet people who inspire you. You will see places that change you. And most importantly, you will get to know yourself better. This first step is the beginning of an adventure that’s bigger than any doubt you’ve ever had.
TIPS AND TRICKS: HOW TO TAKE THE LEAP INTO THE UNKNOWN
To take the first step into solo travel, here are more practical tips that can help:
Research in advance: Learn about your destination. Read travel blogs, forums, or watch YouTube videos. The more you know about a country or city, the less it feels like “the unknown.”
Pack light: This sounds simple but has a deeper meaning. Less luggage means more freedom. You’re more flexible, mobile, and don’t have to lug around heavy bags. As Silbermond sings: “One day you’ll realize that you don’t need 99% of it. You take the ballast and throw it away because it’s better to travel with light luggage.”
Plan, but not too much: It’s good to have an idea of what you want to do, but leave room for spontaneity. Some of the best experiences come unexpectedly.
Trust your intuition: If something doesn’t feel right, listen to that feeling. Your intuition is often your best guide, especially when traveling alone.
Don’t be afraid of mistakes: You’ll get lost. You’ll probably order something wrong. Maybe you’ll even miss a bus or a train. But that’s part of the experience. These “mistakes” often turn into the best stories, the ones you’ll look back on with a smile.
Connect with others: Whether it’s the owner of the small café where you’re eating or other travelers in your accommodation – there are always opportunities to strike up a conversation. Often, the best encounters happen when you least expect them.
DON’T POSTPONE YOUR DREAMS – IT COULD BE TOO LATE
We all know it: “Someday I’ll travel.” “One day I’ll live my dream.” But when is this “someday”? When is this “one day”? The sad truth is that life often passes by faster than we think.
We wait for the perfect moment, the perfect situation. But what if that moment never comes? Or what if it comes, but we no longer have the strength to take advantage of it?
Mark Twain once said: “Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
We are the only ones responsible for our lives – and for turning our dreams into reality. Because who knows what life has in store for us? Who knows what people and experiences are waiting for us on the other side of doubt?
Maybe one day we’ll regret never having had the courage to take that step. Maybe a time will come when it’s too late. And all that’s left is the painful question: “What if?”
DON’T LET IT COME TO THAT!
The world is waiting for you – for brave women like us. It’s big, it’s colourful, and it has so much to offer. But we can only experience all of it if we have the courage to leave our comfort zones, overcome our doubts, and turn our dreams into reality.
It’s time to finally answer the question, “What if?”
Yes, it’s not always easy. Yes, there will be challenges. But just imagine how proud you’ll be when you look back and see all you’ve experienced. When you realize that you were stronger than you ever imagined, and braver than you ever thought possible.
“WHAT IF I FALL? OH, BUT MY DARLING, WHAT IF YOU FLY?”
