Solo travel fears: what happens if you get sick or injured travelling alone?
A reflective piece on one of the biggest solo travel fears — getting sick or injured alone — and what travel has taught me about resilience.
A reflective piece on one of the biggest solo travel fears — getting sick or injured alone — and what travel has taught me about resilience.
There’s something about walking that has always spoken to me. Step after step, with nothing but my thoughts and the rhythm of my boots, life seems to find perspective. After losing my husband, I discovered that travel—particularly walking journeys—gave me space to heal, reflect, and rebuild.
For women in midlife, especially those navigating change, a long-distance trek can be so much more than just a holiday. It can be a chance to reconnect with yourself, embrace new challenges, and uncover strength you didn’t know you had.
Travel can be one of the most empowering gifts we give ourselves in midlife. It’s not just about the destination – it’s about rediscovering who we are, reigniting our confidence, and proving (mostly to ourselves!) that joy and freedom don’t have an age limit.
Yet, as women in midlife, safety often tops the list of concerns when planning transformative travel. We want adventure, but we also want to feel secure enough to enjoy every step.
Do you ever dream of travelling solo but find yourself held back by fears and doubts? We all carry limiting beliefs that could stop us from taking the leap into transformative travel experiences. But the truth is, these fears are just stories we’ve been told—or told ourselves. It’s time to break free!
Today I head off on my latest Namibia adventure and I can’t wait to share with you how we get on. I’ll be travelling with my partner, but we will be driving ourselves and planning to do a bit of camping along the way. If you’re not already, follow our progress via Instagram and Facebook but of course, I’ll be back in your Inbox next week with the latest instalment too!
Over the last week I have been getting to grips with my preparation for our upcoming Namibia trip, which has involved getting up to date on all the travel vaccinations that are required.
I am still knee-deep in writing my new course which I am hoping to start recoding this week. It’s so exciting to be finally at the point of getting it out there.
For the last 10 years I have been part of a team organising a charity walk to help raise money for charity. Usually, I oversee the walkers as they set off and return, co-ordinating everything on the day. Hard work though it is, it is an environment I thrive in. Especially the “hosting” aspect of the event.
A few weeks ago, I wrote about how travel can change your life (if you missed it, hit reply and I’ll send it again). From broadening your perspective to enhancing your self-confidence and creativity. But the change can only be achieved by engaging in purposeful, mindful, and immersive travel experiences. By setting clear intentions, you can achieve personal growth and create lasting, positive changes in your life.
Last week I mentioned that I would be featured in the Mail on Sunday newspaper (only important if you are in the UK). It is a HUGE deal for me to be in another big publication and I was thrilled to be offered the opportunity. I was told by the journalist that it would be coming out on 16th March. I broadcast it among my friends and family (and here last week) so they would be as excited as me and braced to dash to the newsagents first thing that Sunday 😉.

Welcome to my little corner of the internet, for women in midlife who feel the pull to explore — not just the world, but themselves.
I’ve been travelling for over 30 years, through seasons of joy, grief, reinvention and becoming. Travel didn’t just show me new places — it helped me find my way back to myself.
Here I share honest travel stories and reflections on courage, change and second acts.
You don’t need to be brave yet. You’re welcome exactly as you are.
Try: courage, walking, grief, becoming, solo.
Sue Where Why What is a personal, lived-experience space.
I don’t accept guest posts or generic collaborations, and I only share places and stories I genuinely trust.