Dana almost didn’t book. She’d taken work trips, but she had never traveled internationally on her own, and coming out of the pandemic she’d started to notice how much anxiety she carried. India had been on her list since she was 20. She left our booking page open for a week before she finally pressed the button.
She went, nerves and all, and came home with lifelong friends. If traveling solo makes you anxious too, this is what helped her, along with what we’ve seen help a lot of the women who travel with us.
Dana’s story: India, with anxiety along for the ride
She booked our India trip for Holi as a way to challenge herself, and she was nervous about all of it, including the group. In her words:
It felt like middle school or summer camp. What if they don’t like me? What if I don’t make any friends?
Her biggest worry was the roommate. Our roommate quiz matched her with Christie, who’s now a lifelong friend. And the moment she walked into the Delhi airport and saw our driver waiting, she took a big, deep breath. She knew she was in good hands.
One nice surprise: her friend Jess, whose travel photos had inspired her to book in the first place, ended up on the same trip. Jess has her own story about finding her people on seven of our trips.
Looking back, here’s what she’d tell her pre-trip self:
You’ll be okay. You’re allowed to travel without guilt. It isn’t selfish, and it isn’t frivolous.
You can read Dana’s full story here.
Before you go
Name the fear
“Travel anxiety” is usually a few specific worries bundled together. Is it the flight? Being alone? Meeting a group of strangers? Getting lost? Once you know what’s actually bothering you, you can plan around it.
Take the logistics off your plate
For a lot of anxious travelers, the hardest part is the planning: the transfers, the bookings and the hundred small decisions. Dana said those logistics are exactly what stop a lot of people from traveling. On a small group trip, the hotels, transport and plan are handled for you.
Know exactly how you’ll arrive
The first hour is often the hardest. Know how you’re getting from the airport to your bed before you land. On our trips, a driver meets you at the airport with our sign, so you’re never figuring it out alone.
Expect the unexpected, on purpose
Before Dana’s trip, we told the group that things would be unpredictable, and that letting go and staying present would make the trip. She says that mindset is what made it great. Deciding in advance that plans will change makes it much less scary when they do.
Talk to your doctor
If anxiety is a regular part of your life, check in with your doctor or therapist before a big trip. They can help you plan for travel days, time zones and anything you’ll need while you’re away.
While you travel
Have a calm place to come back to
Dana’s first walk through the market in Jodhpur was full-on culture shock: sounds, smells, rickshaws, cows, all at once. She was overwhelmed and a little scared. Then she went back to the hotel, and it was peaceful.
Knowing I had that calm place to come back to is what let me head out the next day and keep exploring.
Take breaks without guilt
You don’t have to do everything. Sit one out, take a nap, find a quiet café. Nothing on our trips is mandatory, and resting doesn’t mean you’re missing out.
Tell someone
If you’re having a hard moment, tell your guide or a woman in your group. You’d be surprised how many people around you understand, and how much lighter it feels once you’ve said it out loud.
Count the small wins
Ordering lunch, crossing a chaotic street, getting through a long travel day. Every one of those is proof that you can handle more than your anxiety tells you.
Why a small group can make it easier
Dana didn’t think of herself as a solo traveler, and tackling India completely on her own wasn’t going to happen. A group gave her the best of both.
That’s what makes SoFe great. You’re alone, but not really.
On our trips, most women come by themselves, the group is small and your guide is with you every day. If that sounds like the right kind of support, here’s how our trips work.
FAQ: traveling with anxiety
Is it okay to travel if I have anxiety?
Yes. Plenty of women with anxiety travel and love it. The key is planning in a way that supports you, and talking to your doctor or therapist if anxiety is a regular part of your life.
Should I travel solo or with a group if I have anxiety?
If the planning, decisions and being alone are what worry you, a small group trip can be a great middle ground. You still travel on your own terms, without carrying every decision yourself.
What if I have a hard moment on the trip?
Step away somewhere quiet, breathe and let your guide or a fellow traveler know. You don’t have to push through on your own.
How do I find the courage to book?
Remind yourself why the place is on your list. For Dana, it came down to knowing she’d regret not going.
The bottom line
Dana packed her nerves and went anyway. In her words, it’s a trip she’ll remember for the rest of her life.
Ready to take the first step? Take our trip quiz to find a trip that feels right for you.
