Why You Should Stop Waiting For Others To Travel With (And How to Start Today)
Why you should stop waiting for others to travel with and stop putting your dreams on hold. If you’ve been wondering how to stop waiting to travel — this is your sign. Because the truth is, waiting for the “right time” or the “right person” is one of the easiest ways to put your dreams on pause indefinitely.
Your friends are busy, your partner can’t take time off, and your priorities rarely align. So how long will you wait? I get it. I used to be you.
The first time I booked a solo trip wasn’t some bold, fearless move. It was because I wanted to visit places my friends didn’t care about, and I was sick of missing out. I was a college student, scrolling Ryanair deals, and realised I could fly somewhere for €20. So I did. Alone.
Years later, after a brutal stretch at work left me drained and overstimulated, I planned a solo trip to Bali, my first long-haul. No one could take time off. No one had the budget. And honestly? I didn’t want to talk to anyone. I wanted peace, and I wasn’t willing to wait for someone else’s schedule to line up with mine.
That trip changed everything. I realised if I could travel solo, I could do anything solo. And if I could do anything solo… that was real freedom.
So in this post, I’m going to show you what I’ve learned — not just about travelling alone, but about reclaiming your time, confidence, and joy.
If you’re feeling stuck, burnt out, heartbroken, or just so damn tired of waiting — this is your sign to stop putting your life on hold. Let’s talk about why it’s time to go anyway… and how to start.
Why You Keep Waiting — And Why It’s Not Serving You
If you’re stuck in that limbo of “I’d go… if someone came with me,” you’re not alone.
Most of us don’t even realise we’re waiting. It starts innocently: You talk about travel plans with friends, someone says, “Ooh, that sounds amazing! I’d love to join,” and suddenly you’re checking calendars and syncing time off like you’re project-managing a group vacation.
But then… silence. They ghost the conversation. Or they circle back two months later with a vague “I don’t know if I can afford it” or “Maybe next year.”
And you tell yourself, “That’s okay, I’ve got other plans.” But deep down, you know it’s not okay. Because you wanted to go to that place. And you’re watching another season pass, still sitting on the couch, still waiting for someone else to validate your plans.
I’ve been there more times than I can count. I’d get excited about a destination, only to have people flake out, delay, or just go cold. And honestly? It made me feel stuck. Because I didn’t want to go alone, but I also didn’t want to keep postponing my dreams.
Eventually, I realised something really important. People have different priorities, and that’s not a reason to delay your own.
Your friends might not want to visit that country. They might not have the money. Or they might simply prefer to stay home. That doesn’t mean you should.
The truth is, waiting is just going to cost you time. And no one’s going to hand it back to you later.
When you stop waiting and decide to go anyway, everything changes. You build trust in yourself. You prove you’re capable. And each trip gets easier, because you realise that freedom isn’t just about booking a flight — it’s about owning your choices.
The Truth: You Don’t Need Permission to Travel Alone
Here’s the truth no one tells you: most people who go on solo trips aren’t brave — they’re just done waiting.
You don’t need to be fearless. You just need to want it enough to move through the discomfort. Being brave isn’t something you’re born with — it’s a skill. It’s choosing not to let fear make your decisions for you.
For some women, solo travel is a last resort because they prefer to be with their partner or friends. And that’s okay. But if you’re craving quiet, space, and time where no one decides your schedule but you, a solo trip is the answer.
Whether it’s reading trashy magazines by the pool, visiting every museum in New York, or wandering through street markets on your own time, solo travel is the invitation to do life on your terms. And when you do that, you don’t just gain memories — you gain confidence, peace, and the kind of clarity that only comes when you listen to your own needs.
Those are just a few of the reasons to travel solo, because sometimes, what you need most is time, space, and full control over your experience. What I love most about solo travel is simple: you get to do you.
There’s no compromising on what to eat, no waiting around for someone to get ready, no guilt for wanting to skip plans. You can have fries for breakfast. Order a cheese board and a glass of wine on a sunny rooftop in Bangkok. Spend all day wandering or spend all day doing absolutely nothing. It’s not selfish — it’s self-honouring.
And yes, there are moments when you think, “It would’ve been fun to share this.” That’s human. But would you rather be sitting at home still waiting for someone to go with, or would you rather be standing in that moment — doing something you love, somewhere you’ve always dreamed of being?
The confidence you gain from a solo trip is something group travel can’t offer. Because when it’s just you, you have to trust yourself. You make every decision. You get to know your preferences, your rhythms, your gut instincts. And when you learn to trust yourself while travelling, you learn to trust yourself everywhere.
And here’s the key to making it all work: stop following what everyone else is doing. That’s not what solo travel is about. Ask yourself what you need. Do you want nature? A city escape? A quiet retreat? A cultural adventure? Be honest about your vibe, and let that guide your destination.
Some of my favourite solo-friendly destinations? Greece, Portugal, Japan, Mexico — all perfect for solo travellers, whether you want to unwind or explore.
How to Start Travelling Solo Today — Without Overthinking It
If you’re afraid to travel alone or still anxious about taking that first solo trip, start small. You don’t have to jump straight into a two-week itinerary across the world. You build confidence the same way you build muscle — one rep at a time.
Start where you are. Go on more solo coffee dates. Take yourself out for lunch. Go to the cinema alone. Sign up for a pottery workshop or a cooking class. Do things you’ve been wanting to do and do them solo. But because you’re choosing to be with yourself. You’re learning to enjoy your own company.
When you’re ready to go somewhere, don’t overthink it. Book a long weekend in a nearby city and treat it like a mini solo test trip. And whatever you do, don’t overpack. I learned that the hard way, dragging an overstuffed suitcase through Bali, sweating, regretting every outfit I didn’t wear. You don’t need half the things you think you do. Pack light. You’ll thank yourself later.
And when you arrive? Keep the first day simple. Don’t try to do it all. Just breathe, walk around, and let yourself land. One of my favourite rituals is to find a coffee shop or wine bar near my hotel, sit down for an hour, and just observe. It grounds me. It helps me feel safe and settled. It reminds me I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.
Feeling confident also comes from being prepared. Do your research — always. Read about the destination, the neighbourhoods, safety tips, and local customs. Book a good hotel or guesthouse in an area that feels right for you. If you’ve done your homework, you’ll walk in already knowing what to expect, and that gives you a huge mindset advantage.
And here’s the piece of advice I always give my coaching clients who hesitate to take that first step:
When you look back… do you want to say, I wish I’d done that?
Or do you want to say, I did it — maybe it wasn’t for me, maybe it changed my life — but at least I f*cking tried?
Because once you try it — really try it — there’s a good chance you’ll never stop.
A Note From Me: I Was You Once
The first time I decided to travel solo wasn’t because I was fearless. It was because I was tired of waiting.
Fifteen years ago, I was still a college student. I wanted to visit places my friends didn’t care about — destinations that didn’t fit their vibe or their budget. And after hearing the usual “sounds cool, I might join” followed by weeks of silence, excuses, or last-minute cancellations, I realised I had two options: keep waiting, or go anyway.
I booked a €20 Ryanair ticket and went by myself.
It wasn’t glamorous. It wasn’t some Eat Pray Love moment. But it was the first time I understood that if you want something, sometimes you have to do it alone. That was the beginning.
Years later, I booked a solo trip to Bali. I was tired. Burnt out. I needed silence, sunlight, space. I was done negotiating holiday plans with people who couldn’t or wouldn’t show up. I booked a long-haul flight, packed too much, and took myself to the other side of the world.
And something shifted.
I realised if I could travel solo, I could do anything solo. And that meant I didn’t have to stay stuck — not in a place, not in a relationship, not in a version of myself that was constantly waiting for permission to live.
It taught me that solitude isn’t something to fear. It’s something to own. That being alone doesn’t mean being lonely. It means being free. It means knowing that no matter where you go, you’ve got yourself, and that’s more than enough.
That mindset has carried me through everything. These kinds of mindset shifts for solo travel don’t just change how you vacation. They change how you move through the rest of your life. It’s made me more confident in life, in relationships, in the choices I make every day. It’s helped me stop settling. Stop shrinking. Start choosing what aligns with me.
And that’s what I want for you.
Plan your trip
With my online resources
Use my travel planning roadmap with all my digital resources to book every detail of your trip!
What’s Your Next Step?
Here’s the truth: waiting is easy. But so is missing out. And if you’re reading this, then something inside you knows it’s time to do things differently.
You’ve spent enough time holding your plans together around other people’s priorities. Enough time watching your dream trips fade into “maybe next year.”
Enough time wondering if it would feel too weird, too risky, or too lonely to go alone.
But the real question is: what would it feel like to finally choose yourself?
Because this isn’t just about travel.
It’s about freedom.
It’s about no longer waiting for permission.
It’s about learning to trust yourself, enjoy your own company, and go after the life you want — on your terms.
So, what’s your next step?
- Take yourself on a solo date this week
- Start planning a weekend getaway just for you
- Join the 30-Day Solo Travel Reinvention Challenge if you need mindset support, structure, and inspiration
- Read my post: 12 Must-Know Tips on How to Stay Safe As A Solo Female Traveller?
One small step now could change everything later. What do you want your future self to say — I wish I’d done that, or I’m so glad I did?
If you made it to the end of this post, thank you! If you’re still on the fence about solo travel or already looking up flights, I’m glad you’re here.
Have questions? Thoughts? Want to share your story? Drop a comment, I’d love to hear from you. And for more solo travel tips, mindset shifts, and behind-the-scenes moments from my own adventures, come say hi over on Instagram @jetlagsarah.
You’ve got this. Now go plan that trip.
