A reflection on anticipation, attention, and where travel really begins
There’s something I’ve been noticing more and more.
Not about the trip itself. But about what happens before it.
The planning.
Not just the logistics. But the quieter part of it.
The imagining.
Where you might go. Why it matters. What you want it to feel like when you’re there.
There’s a different kind of energy in that space.
A study once suggested that the highest spike in happiness comes during the planning stage of a trip.
And that feels true. Not just as an idea. But as something lived.
The times I’ve really taken the time to sit with a journey — to explore it, shape it, and understand what I want from it — those trips have always felt more meaningful. Not because they were flawless. But because I was already connected to them.
I’d already begun.
There have been other times too. Where I’ve chosen ease. Let someone else organise more of it. And while there’s nothing wrong with that…those trips have always felt slightly more distant. Because I hadn’t quite met them yet. The photo is from Hoi An in Vietnam, a trip I did with friends, so used an agent as I didn’t want to have so much “responsibility”. I loved the trip but somehow felt a little less invested as I had passed over the reins of planning.
Planning, in its quieter form, isn’t about control. It’s about attention. About noticing what draws you in. What matters to you. What you want to feel. And allowing that to shape the experience.
And for many, this is also where things feel hardest. Not the travelling. But the beginning.
Too many options. Too many unknowns.
Which is why having a space to gently work through that can make all the difference.
I created Find Your Way for exactly that reason. Not as a push. But as a place to begin. To explore what you want, at your own pace. Find Your Way, is a 6-week self-paced travel confidence programme for women in midlife who want to travel independently with clarity, structure & emotional safety. Learn more HERE.
So, what might change if you gave yourself a little more time to imagine what you truly want from your next trip? Leave a comment if something here resonated with you.
New on YouTube
It’s all been go recently over on YouTube as this week marked the final piece in the puzzle from my weekly short solo hiking tips HERE. I have also pulled them all together in this longer version if you prefer it all in one place via THIS LINK.
Next in my short weekly videos I am tackling the top 10 fears women may have about travelling alone. So, keep your eyes peeled on your social media platform of choice for those, or subscribe to YouTube so you don’t miss any.
Finally, in case you did miss it, last week was my final instalment of the Camino journey videos – 500 kilometres over 5 weeks from Burgos to Santiago de Compostela for our honeymoon. If you have ever considered walking the Camino yourself then this final video is the one to watch. If you only have a week then I am guessing this will be the stretch you are most likely to tackle, however, in my experience, after doing the final 100 kilometres of the Portuguese route last year, I would recommend the walk from Vigo. In my opinion it is less crowded and a more beautiful trail. You can watch it & decide for yourself HERE.
Thank you for being here — whether you read every word or just dip in now and then.
Until next time,
Safe travels,
Sue x
This email may contain affiliate links. If you choose to use them, I may receive a small commission — thank you. You’ll never pay more, and my opinions are always my own.
P.S. Helpful travel resources I genuinely use can always be found below:
🏠 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 multi day or week tours, check out G Adventures. I used them for trips in Costa Rica, Peru, and Galapagos.
🧳 For luggage storage on your travels, I recommend the service by Bounce.
