Solo Sojourns

Hi, I’m Grace. Welcome to Solo Sojourns, a travel blog for older women who want to have the confidence to go it alone! Primarily a travel blog it will also address health and wellness issues associated with ageing and my passion for healthy food.

Have you ever considered solo travel? (as opposed to singles travel) Solo travel and singles travel are two different concepts, although they can sometimes overlap.

Solo travel refers to traveling alone, regardless of your relationship status. It’s travel where you choose to explore the world independently, without the company of friends or family.

Singles travel specifically caters to individuals who are single and looking to meet other like-minded singles while traveling, probably involving romance.

Solo travel is more focused on personal growth and self-discovery. It can be a transformative experience and that’s the emphasis of this blog. Having recently lost my lifelong partner I know firsthand how self-confidence can take a nosedive especially if you retreat into your comfort zone at home which can impact on your mental health.

Solo travel can improve your self confidence by getting you out there. You’ll be put into situations where you have to trust yourself and where you won’t be able to rely on anyone else. It can also improve your self-confidence by requiring you to interact with new people or awkward situations and overcome any shyness you may normally feel.

There are obviously specific concerns for recently bereaved who have depended on a partner, such as safety and sometimes health concerns. Traveling alone requires navigating unfamiliar environments and cultures, which can be intimidating for anyone, regardless of age or gender but might be especially hard for an older woman. Stepping out of your comfort zones after years of comfortable routine can be unnerving and is best done by degrees. But one of the most rewarding aspects of solo travel is how it teaches you to enjoy your own company. Being alone doesn’t mean being lonely. It’s all navigable and in your own hands.

There are many positives to travelling alone and perhaps the main one is the freedom of being totally in control of your time. Literally everything is in your own hands and you can’t be overruled! Getting up when you want, eating where you want, what you want and when you want, choosing activities that suit you to a T.

Almost 6 months ago, after a long and happy marriage I found myself widowed and facing the choice of giving up on the things we used to enjoy as a couple or deliberately moving into new territory by creating a different way of life for myself. Because we travelled a lot together, it was something I knew I’d miss and was still eager to explore new horizons. If you can identify, but are unsure you could go solo why don’t you join me in my adventures. Hopefully I can provide a few travel hacks for women alone and wisdom gems along the way, and inspire you to follow suit. Remember that the only limits you make in life are the ones you create yourself!