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Discover why celebrating small wins during your travels can boost confidence, rewire your brain, and create true transformation — especially for women in midlife.
When we think of transformational travel, we usually imagine the big moments — climbing a mountain, seeing a world wonder, or finally feeling fearless in a foreign city.
But the truth is this: The biggest transformations come from the smallest wins. Those tiny, almost invisible decisions where you chose courage over comfort.
And when you actually acknowledge those moments — when you pause and say, “well done, me” — something powerful happens inside you.
There’s science behind it. And our recent trip to China reminded me exactly why this practice is so important, especially for women in midlife.
Why Celebrating Small Wins Works (the Brain Science Bit)
Psychologists have shown that recognising your own success triggers a release of dopamine, the brain’s reward chemical. Dopamine doesn’t just feel good — it encourages you to repeat the behaviour.
This creates what researchers call a positive feedback loop:
- You take a small risk
- You succeed
- You praise yourself
- You feel capable
- You try something slightly bigger
The cycle continues, and suddenly, you’re building confidence layer by layer, almost effortlessly.
Harvard researcher Teresa Amabile calls this the Progress Principle — the idea that even small steps forward create outsized boosts in mood and motivation.
And neuroscientists agree: your brain literally rewires itself around repeated positive reinforcement.
In other words:
The more you celebrate your small wins, the more your brain believes you’re capable of big ones. This is why self-congratulation is not indulgent. It’s not silly. It’s not unnecessary.
It’s transformational.
Which brings me to China: A Trip Built on Tiny Triumphs
Mastering the High-Speed Trains
I had long dreamed of riding one of China’s Bullet Trains (long before the Brad Pitt movie!). Having had a primary school teacher who was obsessed with this mode of transport meant we were all made to create projects around trains. So, when I arrived at the station, I was more excited than most for our first journey…hence the photo!
China’s high-speed trains are incredible — travelling at over 300 km/hour and arriving to the second on time. But riding the train was one thing, successfully negotiating our way onto it was another. Before we boarded, I felt nervous.
Not only was there a language barrier… the entire alphabet was different. Nothing on the signs made sense. I worried about:
- Being in the wrong place
- Booking incorrectly
- Not understanding changes
- Missing a gate
- Getting stuck at a barrier
- Not being able to ask for help
It may surprise you to hear that I worry about these things after all the travelling I have done. It certainly surprised my husband. But I do, constantly. I have a desire to get everywhere early, just in case and am regularly checking the boards for updates. And that’s why celebrating these wins is so important to me.
But the good news was:
It all worked beautifully.
Our passports functioned as our tickets.
When the automated gates didn’t like us, we simply moved toward the nearest guard, and they waved us through.
We matched the few readable numbers — train, time, gate — to our printouts.
Suddenly, the system made sense.
It became easy, efficient, and reliable.
And after every stage, I took a moment to remind myself:
“You did that. Well done.”
It sounds small.
But small is where the confidence grows.
The Food Adventure That Changed Everything
Food was the next hurdle.
At first, we played it safe — hotel restaurants with English menus and staff who spoke the language. But eventually, safety became boring. And transformation rarely happens inside comfort zones.
So, we took a small risk.
I chose a place with glowing English reviews (but don’t be fooled — those reviews don’t always tell the whole story!).
This restaurant was tucked into a quiet residential street lined with little food shops.
Most were closed or empty. The one I chose was full — a promising sign.
Inside, nobody spoke English (meaning I had been lulled into a false sense of security by the reviews). Menus were on a QR code but with no Wi-Fi, that didn’t help.
I ended up at the till being gently ushered forward. I pointed at dishes on my phone taken from reviews. They nodded, smiled, and entered the order. All of them around me, commenting to each other and laughing. Not at me (well, maybe slightly!), but with me. And eventually, as a team we all got there in the end.
Returning to Larry, I said, “I’ve absolutely no idea what I just ordered… but food is coming.”
And then the magic arrived
A woman there unofficially adopted us as her personal project:
- She brought a sizzling beef dish infused with garlic, ginger and chilli
- She delivered rice to us (even though everyone else fetched their own)
- A young man rushed over with a translation on his phone: “Be careful, bowl is hot”
Then came their famous sticky ribs. Then Chinese spinach. All huge, hot, fresh and absolutely delicious!
They even returned with another translation: “Order more if not enough.”
There was plenty.
But the biggest gift wasn’t the food.
It was the connection.
The kindness.
The shared effort to communicate through gestures, photos, pointing and laughter.
We were the evening’s entertainment — in the best way.
And once again, I reminded myself:
“Well done. You trusted yourself. You created this moment.”
It brought to mind how scared I had been the first time I travelled after the pandemic. Scared to even board a train at home, I headed for a yoga retreat in Iceland because it had been booked & already postponed twice. I was terrified as I stepped on the plane, but piece by piece, small win after small win, Iceland helped me come back to myself. To rebuild and find my freedom again. You can read the full story HERE.
Why Small Wins Matter So Much in Midlife
Many women in midlife quietly fear they are becoming smaller — less adventurous, less brave, less capable.
But travel reveals the opposite.
We are powerful.
We are adaptable.
We can still surprise ourselves.
Each small win reminds you of that.
Each time you say “well done,” you take another step back into your courage.
You rebuild trust in yourself.
You create momentum.
This is how travel becomes transformational — not through the big moments, but through layers of tiny triumphs.
A Simple Transformation Practice to Try on Your Next Trip
Every evening, ask yourself: “What did I do well today?”
It might be:
- Trying a new dish
- Speaking a few words in another language
- Navigating a bus or train
- Asking someone for help
- Staying calm when plans changed
- Saying yes when you could have said no
Write it down. Say it out loud. Celebrate it.
Not because you need applause. But because your brain needs proof that you are capable, resilient, and evolving.
And you are.
One small win at a time.
So, {{ subscriber.first_name }}, when was the last time you celebrated a small win that led to a cascade of confidence building? I’d love to know, hit reply to this email to let me know or connect via your social method of choice (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, Threads or LinkedIn) to give me all the details.
I’m currently in a hiatus from creating new videos while I clean up my YouTube site and develop a fresh look on my website for 2026. I am excited about the future but if you are missing my weekly video musings, then there are loads (almost 400 to be exact!) of videos to choose from. For example, why not check out a playlists such as Turkey Solo Travel for Women Over 50, Solo Female Food Adventures Around The World or Crazy Wildlife Encounters.
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Until next time,
Safe Travels
Sue x
This newsletter may contain affiliate links. By using these, Sue Where Why What may receive a small commission for which I say thank you, but you will not pay any extra charges for this. My opinions remain my own.
More of my Adventures…
Blog – A Yoga Retreat in Iceland – Finding Freedom Again
Video – Solo Female Food Adventures Around The World
Video – Crazy Wildlife Encounters Around The World
And finally, just for you…Receive a small commission for which I say thank you, but you will not pay any extra charges for this. My opinions remain my own., but you will not pay any extra charges for this. My opinions remain my own.
🏠 For accommodation, I use Expedia and Booking.com primarily. They have their own loyalty schemes which is easy to progress through the levels for better discounts and inclusions.
🚍 For tours and activities, my preferred supplier is Get Your Guide.
🚶♀️ For walking and food tours (two of my favourite things to do anywhere), I recommend Walks and Devour Tours.
🗺️ For multi day or week tours, check out G Adventures. I used them for trips in Costa Rica, Peru, and Galapagos.
🤞 I would never leave home without travel insurance. With Safety Wingyou can take out an annual policy and pay monthly. This takes the hassle out of having to remember for us regular travellers.
🛫 For cheap flights, check out Skyscanneror join Jacks Flight Clubwhich scans the internet for error fares (UK only).
🧳 For luggage storage on your travels, I recommend the service by Bounce
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