What’s Really Stopping You From Booking That Solo Trip? (5 Identity Blocks) // 175

Ever wondered how to travel solo without paying more for the privilege—or feeling alone on the road? We welcome Tracey Nesbitt, cofounder and editor at Solo Traveler, for a lively, practical deep dive into the rise of solo travel among women 50+ and the smarter, cheaper ways to make it happen. Tracy shares how a rocky first duo trip nudged her toward independence, then relives the nerve-wracking paper map moment in Paris that transformed fear into hard-earned confidence.We get honest about the numbers driving this shift—more single-person households, later-life independence, and a generation refusing to “gear down.” Tracy breaks down how modern tours and river cruises now work for solos, with flexible days, activity choices, and easy-to-explore city docks. If you’ve ever bristled at the single supplement, you’ll love the inside look at Tracy’s List: a curated monthly email of vetted tours and cruises that now all carry zero single supplements. Expect distinctive itineraries, not cookie-cutter routes, plus options like roommate matching for travelers who prefer to share.The conversation turns personal when Tracey describes a powerful moment on the Rocky Mountaineer, watching Canada’s landscapes roll by from an open-air platform and feeling an unexpected surge of belonging. We unpack how solo trips can strengthen relationships, model healthy independence for kids, and refill your energy in ways that last long after you unpack. New to going alone? You’ll get concrete starting points: try a staycation, choose an English-speaking destination, observe local norms, and ask questions early and often.Ready to feel braver and spend smarter while you explore? Tap play, then subscribe for more conversations like this, share the episode with a friend who needs a nudge, and leave a quick review to help more solo-curious travelers find us.Apply for 1-on-1 travel coaching with me:https://cherylbeckesch.com/work-with-me/Find Solo Traveler and Tracey Nesbitt:https://solotravelerworld.com/Tracey's List:https://solotravelerworld.com/subscribe-to-traceys-shortlist/https://www.facebook.com/SoloTravelSocietyhttps://www.instagram.com/solotraveler/ Support the showhttps://www.cherylbeckesch.com [email protected] Instagram @solotraveladventures50

The hardest part of divorce isn’t the paperwork.It’s waking up to a life that no longer feels familiar.Your name.Your routines.Your identity.And the question that whispers in the quiet:Who am I now?In this episode, we talk honestly about the emotional weight many women carry after divorce — guilt, shame, exhaustion, and the fear of starting over.And we explore a simple starting point:Not a bucket list.Not a long-haul flight.But small, intentional travel that meets you where you are.Inside This Episode:• Moving through guilt and “failure” narratives• Using nearby travel as healthy disruption• Why new environments shift perspective• Designing affordable, low-pressure reset trips• Creating space to hear your own voice againThis isn’t about escaping your life.It’s about rebuilding it.Travel can become a container — a place to think clearly, breathe deeply, and remember who you are becoming in this next season.You don’t have to leap across the world.Sometimes healing starts with a sunrise walk in a new place.If you’re rebuilding after divorce and craving direction, you don’t have to figure this out alone.In 1:1 coaching, we build:• Emotional readiness• Safe, realistic travel plans• Confidence in your next chapter• Structure during transitionThis isn’t just about taking a trip.It’s about becoming confident again.👉 Ready to become the woman who books the trip? Apply for 1:1 coaching here https://calendly.com/solotraveladventures/book-a-callYour next chapter doesn’t start someday.It starts with one decision.Support the showhttps://www.cherylbeckesch.com [email protected] Instagram @solotraveladventures50

You feel the pull to travel alone.But something inside says, “That’s not me.”Not because you can’t.Because it feels unfamiliar.If you’ve ever thought:“It feels selfish to leave.”“I’m the responsible one.”“That kind of travel isn’t me.”“Isn’t solo travel for younger women?”“What will people think?”“Who even am I without my roles?”You are not alone.In this episode, Cheryl unpacks the identity blocks that quietly keep women over 50 from booking the trip they can’t stop thinking about.What’s Inside:• The caregiver identity and guilt• Why solo travel doesn’t require risk-taking• The “too late” myth• Handling other people’s reactions• Rediscovering who you are in this seasonThis isn’t just about travel.It’s about confidence.It’s about permission.It’s about becoming.If solo travel feels like part of your next chapter — but hesitation keeps slowing you down — that’s exactly what 1:1 coaching is for.We build safety, clarity, and confidence so you can move forward peacefully.👉 Apply for coaching at cherylbeckesch.comYou don’t have to navigate this alone.Support the showhttps://www.cherylbeckesch.com [email protected] Instagram @solotraveladventures50

What if confidence isn’t something you wait for—but something you build?In this episode, Cheryl explores how solo travel becomes a practical path to steady, grounded confidence for women over 50. From small starter trips to bigger adventures, each experience becomes a layer of self-trust that carries into everyday life.Confidence isn’t a personality trait. It’s a muscle built through action.In This Episode:Why confidence grows through small, consistent solo outingsStarter trips that compound into bigger travel goalsPlanning wisely without slipping into overplanningSituational awareness and simple rideshare safety habitsNavigation tips, map pins, and power bank essentialsReframing solo dining and showing up confidently in publicCelebrating wins—and learning from travel misstepsHandling homesickness, fatigue, and moments of doubtWhy midlife travel becomes identity reclamationBringing hard-earned confidence back homeSolo travel after 50 isn’t about proving anything. It’s about reclaiming independence, courage, and clarity in this season of life.If you want structured support building confidence and designing a safe, meaningful solo trip aligned with who you’re becoming, Cheryl works with women in 1:1 coaching to create realistic, confidence-building travel plans.Apply for 1:1 coaching at: https://cherylbeck.comTravel bravely. Travel wisely. Travel confidently.Support the showhttps://www.cherylbeckesch.com [email protected] Instagram @solotraveladventures50

What if confidence for solo travel doesn’t start at the airport—but in your own town?In this episode, Cheryl shares 12 simple solo date ideas designed to build self-trust, independence, and ease in public spaces—so future solo travel feels natural instead of intimidating.These aren’t consolation outings.They’re confidence reps.From cozy café visits to museum afternoons, from farmers markets to nature trails, each idea strengthens your ability to listen to yourself, choose your pace, and enjoy your own company without apology.In This Episode:Why solo dates build the confidence muscleCafé and bookstore outings that increase comfort in public spacesMuseums and galleries for curiosity without compromisePlayful “inner child” activities that restore lightnessNature walks and new parks that build resilienceClasses and workshops that stretch your comfort zoneBeing a tourist in your own town to practice travel logisticsVision board nights that turn travel dreams into actionSolo travel confidence doesn’t appear overnight. t grows in layers.When you practice choosing yourself locally, booking that future trip becomes far less intimidating.If you want structured support building confidence and designing your first (or next) solo trip safely and intentionally, Cheryl works with women in 1:1 coaching to create realistic, meaningful travel plans aligned with this season of life.Apply for 1:1 coaching at:https://cherylbeckesch.comSupport the showhttps://www.cherylbeckesch.com [email protected] Instagram @solotraveladventures50

Should you travel solo—or invite a friend along?If you’ve ever shared a dream trip idea only to have someone invite themselves, this episode will help you decide what truly fits your season, your personality, and your purpose.In this conversation, Cheryl walks through the real tradeoffs between solo travel and traveling with friends—covering freedom, safety, budget, compromise, and the emotional impact of each choice.Because the right decision isn’t about what’s popular. It’s about what serves you best right now.In This Episode:The freedom and growth that solo travel offersThe joy and shared memories that come with group travelHow splitting costs impacts comfort and budget decisionsCompatibility questions to ask before booking with someoneTravel style differences: pace, food, sleep, stress responseHow to protect both the itinerary and the friendshipGraceful ways to say no when someone invites themselvesHow to anchor your decision to purpose—not pressureIf you need decompression, clarity, and reflection, solo travel may serve you best. If you’re celebrating or easing into new experiences, traveling with a friend might be the perfect fit.The key is choosing intentionally—so you return with clarity instead of resentment.If you’re unsure which mode of travel aligns with your personality, comfort level, and season of life, Cheryl supports women through 1:1 coaching to design trips that feel safe, meaningful, and confidence-building.Apply for 1:1 coaching at: https://cherylbeck.comSupport the showhttps://www.cherylbeckesch.com [email protected] Instagram @solotraveladventures50

Have you ever come home from a trip feeling clearer, lighter, or suddenly certain about what needs to change?In this episode, Cheryl explores why purposeful travel often creates powerful life shifts—and why stepping into a new environment can move the needle in ways that simply thinking about change sometimes can’t.Blending personal experience with psychological insight, Cheryl shares how walking the Camino reshaped her priorities, strengthened her boundaries, and helped her return home with a slower, more intentional pace.This conversation isn’t about replacing therapy. It’s about understanding how lived experience accelerates clarity.In This Episode:Why major life clarity often follows travelHow new environments break autopilot thinkingThe brain science behind novelty, movement, and presenceWhy stepping outside familiar roles reveals your true desiresHow insight gained on the road integrates back homePractical ways to use intentional travel for reflection and renewalTravel works through lived experience. It interrupts old patterns. It creates space to hear yourself again.Purposeful travel isn’t escape—it’s intentional disruption that helps you see what’s no longer aligned.If you’re feeling stuck, restless, or quietly longing for change, Cheryl supports women through 1:1 coaching to design intentional, confidence-building trips that create space for clarity and renewal.Apply for 1:1 coaching at: https://cherylbeck.comSupport the showhttps://www.cherylbeckesch.com [email protected] Instagram @solotraveladventures50

Have you ever heard another woman’s story and thought, If she can do that, maybe I can too?In this episode, Cheryl revisits four powerful stories from women who discovered that solo travel can become more than a trip—it can become a turning point.From a first international journey to New Zealand… To rebuilding life during divorce in Kuwait… To hiking mountains that quiet anxious thoughts… To finding healing and clarity halfway around the world…Each story reveals how ordinary women stepped into the unfamiliar and rediscovered courage, confidence, and self-trust.In This Episode:Why travel stories inspire action long after the trip endsLee’s first solo international trip to New ZealandDanielle’s bold move during divorce and healingLinda’s rediscovery of strength through hikingTess’s journey of faith, healing, and decision-making through travelHow intentional solo travel supports emotional and spiritual renewalThese women didn’t wait until they felt fearless. They took one imperfect step—and let the experience shape them.Solo travel isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about becoming the woman who trusts herself enough to begin.If you’re in a season of transition and wondering whether travel could be part of your next chapter, Cheryl supports women through 1:1 coaching to design intentional, confidence-building trips aligned with who they’re becoming.Apply for 1:1 coaching at: https://cherylbeck.comSupport the showhttps://www.cherylbeckesch.com [email protected] Instagram @solotraveladventures50

What happens when the house grows quiet — and you’re left wondering who you are now?The empty nest season can feel freeing… and disorienting. After decades of caregiving, coordinating, and putting others first, many women find themselves asking: What’s next for me?In this episode, Cheryl invites you to see your life as a story still being written — and to explore how solo travel can become a meaningful part of your next chapter.In This Episode:Why the empty nest season often brings both grief and possibilityA powerful reflection exercise reconnecting you with your younger selfHow to rediscover hobbies and creative desires that got buriedA simple 20-activity list to spark joy and curiosityHow solo travel creates space for clarity and renewalThis Season Isn’t an Ending. It’s a Turning Point.You are not behind. You are not too old. Your story is not finished.Intentional reflection helps you reclaim who you were — and clarify who you are becoming.Solo travel becomes powerful in this season not because you’re escaping… but because you’re creating space to remember yourself.Travel With Purpose begins long before departure day.Ready for Support in This Transition?If you’re navigating empty nest, menopause, or a season of transition and feel unsure what your next chapter holds, this is exactly what Cheryl supports women with in 1:1 coaching.Together, you will:Clarify what this season is asking of youDesign a solo trip aligned with your energy and comfort levelBuild the confidence to move forward intentionallyCreate space for renewal and rediscoveryYou don’t have to rewrite this chapter alone.Apply for 1:1 coaching at: https://cherylbeck.comSupport the showhttps://www.cherylbeckesch.com [email protected] Instagram @solotraveladventures50

What if your next solo trip wasn’t just a vacation — but part of your healing?In this deeply personal episode, Cheryl shares how a two-week solo journey after divorce became the beginning of something far bigger than she expected. What started as space to breathe became clarity, confidence, and a calling to help Christian women over 50 walk through life transitions with intention.If you’re navigating divorce, grief, or a difficult season and wondering whether travel could support your healing, this conversation explores how solo trips can become a meaningful part of restoration — without pretending they are a quick fix.In This Episode:How Cheryl’s first solo trip after divorce shifted her identityWhy travel supports healing — but isn’t a magic solutionLessons from walking the Camino after traumaThe difference between loneliness and solitudeWhy “why-cations” are rising in 2026How intentional travel creates space to grieve and rediscover yourselfTravel Is Not Escape. It’s Space.Healing doesn’t happen on a rigid timeline.But stepping outside your daily environment can create space for:ReflectionEmotional processingReclaiming confidenceRediscovering who you are beyond your rolesSolo travel becomes powerful when it’s intentional.This is where travel moves from distraction to transformation.You Don’t Have to Navigate This AloneIf you’re walking through divorce, grief, or a major life transition and feel drawn to travel — but unsure how to do it safely, meaningfully, and without overwhelm — this is exactly what Cheryl supports women with in 1:1 coaching.Together, you’ll:Clarify what this next trip represents in your season of lifeBuild realistic safety and planning frameworksDesign a restorative experience aligned with your comfort levelStrengthen confidence before you ever board the planeThis isn’t therapy. It’s structured confidence-building through intentional travel.Apply for 1:1 coaching at: https://cherylbeck.comYou don’t have to walk this season alone.Support the showhttps://www.cherylbeckesch.com [email protected] Instagram @solotraveladventures50