Before my first solo trip, I wasn’t chasing adventure.
I was chasing alignment.
My first solo trip happened in 2023, over my 38th birthday. I was coming out of a hard season of life, layered with the emotional weight of COVID, financial stress, and rebuilding. Ironically, the pandemic helped me do one very important thing: save money and climb out of living penny to penny.
For the first time in years, I felt financially stable enough to choose something for myself.
But the spark didn’t come from a glamorous moment.
It came from a girls’ weekend in the mountains.
The Weekend That Changed Everything
In March 2022, I was on a getaway with friends. Snowy hikes, group drinking, cabin vibes. And even though I love my friends, I was miserable.
I don’t love hiking.
I don’t drink much anymore.
Being the only sober one in a group of people drinking? It gets old fast.
At one point during what was supposed to be a “getaway,” I found myself wishing I was home.
That hit me hard.
Why was I spending money and time off doing something I didn’t enjoy?
That weekend, I made a decision:
I was going to try solo travel.
I wanted to do what I wanted.
When I wanted.
How I wanted.
As a plus-size woman, keeping up with someone else’s pace on a hike isn’t always easy. Sometimes I prefer to walk slowly. Sometimes I’m happy to take an Uber. Other times, I pick a hotel close to public transport so I don’t have to rush across the city.
I wanted the freedom to choose what felt comfortable, without having to explain myself.
So I decided: the following April, over my birthday week, I was taking a solo trip.
The Honest Truth About Solo Travel
Planning that first trip felt freeing before I even left.
I could change my mind mid-research.
I could choose hotels based on my comfort level.
I could say no to hostels (not my vibe).
I could say yes to a Holiday Inn Express with free breakfast. (Seriously, don’t miss the cinnamon buns.)
I wasn’t trying to prove anything.
I wasn’t trying to be a backpacking minimalist.
I was trying to enjoy myself.
That’s what solo travel in your late 30s and 40s is really about.
Not reckless.
Not chaotic.
Intentional.
Starting Somewhere Familiar: A Smart First Move
Even though I grew up traveling (#Navybrat), traveled to Italy at 19, and had visited London and Paris in my early 20s, I still chose familiarity for my first solo adventure.
My itinerary:
• London (4 nights)
• Rome (3 nights)
• Paris (5-night birthday celebration finale)
Picking cities I’d already visited made me less anxious. I knew my way around, understood the transportation, and felt comfortable with how things worked.
If you’re wondering whether solo travel is right for you, here’s a tip:
Start somewhere that feels manageable.
Confidence builds momentum.
The Endurance Surprise
One of my biggest concerns as a plus-size solo traveler was walking.
So for that first trip, I booked hotels near major landmarks:
•The Tower Hotel in London (with a stunning Tower Bridge view!)
•TREVI Beau Boutique Hotel in Rome (right around the corner from the Trevi Fountain!)
• Best Western Au Trocadéro in Paris (Eiffel Tower view room… absolutely worth the additional money!)
What I realized?
The proximity helped at first.
But within a few days, my endurance increased.
By my last day in Paris, I walked more than five miles, even up and down the hills of Montmartre.
Five miles.
At the time, that was huge for me.
Solo travel didn’t just change my perspective.
It strengthened my body.
It built physical confidence.
Practical Safety Systems That Gave Me Confidence
Solo travel doesn’t mean reckless travel.
Here’s what helped me feel secure:
Anti-Theft Crossbody Bag
I bought a Travelon anti-theft crossbody purse and have used it on several trips. It has locking zippers and slash-resistant straps. I really love it! I’ve picked up a few different styles for different trips, and I highly recommend them. I’ve put together a curated list of the travel safety items I personally use and recommend in my Amazon storefront if you’d like to see everything in one place.
*As an Amazon Associate and Influencer, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.*
Smart Hotel Location Strategy
In London, I learned that proximity to a Tube station mattered more than landmark views.
After night one at The Tower Hotel, I realized walking 15 minutes in the dark wasn’t ideal. I Ubered home instead.
Lesson learned:
Being close to public transportation matters more than having a great Instagram view.
That influenced how I booked my 2025 London solo trip—which I will touch on in a later post. 😊
Social Media Research
Before leaving, I researched:
• Pickpocket scams in Paris
• Safety tips for Rome
• Public transportation breakdowns
Searching TikTok keywords like:
“Paris travel scams”
“Rome solo female safety tips”
“London Underground explained”
was incredibly helpful.
Social media became a planning tool, not just a source for entertainment.
The Unexpected Confidence Boost
The most empowering part of that trip?
Mastering the London Underground.
Navigating the Paris Metro.
That built real, true confidence.
Once you can:
• Read a transit map
• Transfer lines
• Ride public transport alone
You realize:
You can figure out almost anything.
That kind of confidence carries over into your everyday life.
Dining Alone (Spoiler Alert: It Was Wonderful!)
Before my trip, I downloaded a few e-books to my Kindle “just in case.”
In case I felt awkward.
In case I needed something to do.
In case I felt insecure.
I barely opened them.
Instead:
• I sat outside at Paris cafés
• I ate at a couple of London pubs
• I people-watched for hours
• I soaked in conversations and life happening around me
• I admired the sounds of people fluently speaking beautiful languages
Bring a book with you.
Expect not to need it.
Why Solo Travel in Your Late 30s and 40s Is Different
It’s not about:
Finding yourself.
It’s about:
Choosing yourself.
You know what you like.
You know what you don’t.
You’re okay splurging on comfort.
You’re not apologizing for pace.
And you don’t need to wait for:
• A partner
• A friend’s availability
• Perfect timing
Final Thoughts: Take the Leap!
Traveling solo is intimidating at first.
But trust your gut.
Take the leap.
I promise you won’t look back.
Solo travel has become my preferred way to explore the world. And here at Her Unstoppable Journey, I’ll be sharing:
• Structured itineraries
• Safety systems
• Travel planning tips
• Hotel strategies
• Budget-conscious solo travel insights
Because you don’t need permission to see the world. You just need a departure date.