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Hi, and welcome to our miniseries on Traveling Solo, a zm X travel radio production presented by Collage Travel Media Network. I sure hope you're enjoying all of these little topics on the traveling solo and are giving you ideas of how you can get away with confidence. I'm Z Michelson. I'm a travel advisor, a media host, and an advocate for women who refuse to wait to see the world. This is where independence meets intention and where women learn to travel solo with confidence. Now, today we're gonna be talking about something that doesn't get discussed enough. Now, it's not gonna be about fear, it's not gonna be about safety, and it's not gonna be about money, but it's gonna be about resistance. Oh boy, what do I mean about that? I am sure you've all heard that before. Like why are you going, what are you doing? You heard it from your friends, you've heard it from your family, and even people who really don't understand why you might be doing this alone, but you know why. So let's talk about navigating solo travel. When you're immediate close circle of people, they don't really get it as long as you get it right now, it rarely sounds aggressive, it sounds like. Why would you go by yourself? Is it safe? Boy, I would be too scared. And why don't you wait until someone can go with you? Have you heard that before? I'm sure you have. I know I've heard it before too. And underneath those comments is something a little bit more important. It's how they feel people speak from their comfort level, but it's not your capability. So that's why they say that, yeah, they're concerned. They are a little concerned about you, but it's also how they wouldn't do it, because it's not their comfort level. Here's something we don't really say out loud when they say one woman chooses independence. It makes others uncomfortable. Hmm. I'm not too sure about that one, but it's because it highlights what they're not choosing. Just because they won't do it doesn't mean you can't do it. Right. What about the old adage? If everybody jumped off the bridge, would you do it too? I don't think so. But your solo travel decision may unintentionally. Challenge certain things you've always heard, I couldn't do that, or I wish I could do that because it's unintentionally challenging. Their fears, their excuses, their dependency and their priorities. And that discomfort can come out of doubt, but just remember, it really isn't about you. It's about them. They wouldn't do it. And understanding that can change everything. Well, what about this? Have you heard this before? I'd be lonely. One of the most common reactions is I could never do that. That statement isn't criticism. It's a confession. They're telling you about their limitations. Again, it's theirs not yours, and you don't need to argue. You don't need to convince them. How about simply saying something like this, Hey, I'm really excited about this trip. I'm going on and just leave it there. Confidence doesn't mean defending itself. Now, you wanna set boundaries without drama, right? You don't need to justify your travel decisions, but you can set the tone, say things like this. This is something I've wanted to do for myself for a long time, or I'm really looking forward to this experience, or, here's another good one. I feel ready. Do you notice what's missing? You don't. Well, what's missing is an apology. You're not apologizing. You don't need to apologize for expanding and enjoying your life. That's right. You don't need to apologize for expanding and enjoying your life. It's your life now. Sometimes friends feel left behind, believe it or not. Sometimes the friends, your friends may feel confused, they're hurt, especially if they assumed you'd always travel together. It's okay to reassure without shrinking. You can say things like, I love traveling with you too. This is just something I'm doing for myself, and the time is ripe right now. Solo travel doesn't replace shared travel. So when your friend is ready to go, as their schedule allows, it expands your capacity to travel more. So we're not saying only travel by yourself, we're saying do it for yourself. Because it's something you've always wanted to do, now you're going to notice a big identity shift. What does that mean? Well, when you start traveling solo, your identity really shifts. You become more decisive, more confident, even more self-reliant. Because you don't have to rely on anybody else. Where's the bags? Who do you have the passport? Does so and so have this so and so? It's more you. And not everyone grows at the same pace, and sometimes friendships can recalibrate. You're not leaving friends behind. This is something you just wanna do because you are realizing you're your own person. You have your own identity. We talked about this in an earlier episode about family trips, trips with spouses, but now it's your time. So it's not that it's a loss of friendship, it's just something that you've always wanted to do, and now you're taking the steps to do it. How exciting is that? Now, I'm not gonna lie. Sometimes growth changes your circles. What do I mean by that? Well, you're traveling on some of these solo trips. You're gonna meet a whole bunch of people even though you're traveling alone. But traveling solo doesn't mean traveling alone. It can expand your circle of friends. You'll meet people who have the same interests as you that you may not have met before. So it can expand your circle. That's exciting. Now there is eventually something interesting that really happens. Yep. You get a kind of quiet confidence. The same friends who questioned you. You know, after you've taken your first or second or third trip solo, these same friends will start asking you for advice. How did you like it? What did you do? What was it like? Did you, were you able to get around by yourself? They will start asking all sorts of questions because courage is contagious. And you know something, by your example, it gives a silent permission for more people to do this. Sure. It's great traveling with a bunch of friends, but sometimes your friends, like we've talked on other episodes. They just can't make it. The times that you can either work gets in the way, or family gets in the way and they just can't go, and you can go and you wanna go. So why should you wait 3, 4, 5 years to do something that you've always wanted to do when your time is right now? Now some of your friends. May still not understand your solo travel plans. It doesn't mean you're wrong. You are doing what you wanna do. It just means you have an earlier head start from them. Because like I said, maybe you're divorced or maybe you are a widow, or maybe you're just an empty nester and hubby doesn't wanna travel. Or maybe he can travel. Maybe he's, maybe he's still working and you are retired. So it just means you're a little early so you can go ahead and take that step. Go Anyway, it's what you always wanted to do. You are not responsible for making your growth comfortable for other people. I know this short miniseries has been very short. Little podcasts, and if you really, really want to get ahead and travel solo, I do recommend that you talk with your travel advisor. Let them know your interests, what you wanna do, let them know your budget. Let them know how long you can go for. Sometimes you just wanna take a short little trip, you know, to get your feet wet. You know, a three day mini cruise maybe. Something that will get you into the mode of traveling by yourself, and that will help. And again, talk with your travel advisor. Now, when you're going traveling solo, it doesn't mean you have to leave the earth and not let anybody know where you're going. I always recommend getting travel insurance, and I always recommend giving your itinerary to some family members so they know where you're at. And always keep all of your cell phone charged. Make sure you keep your chargers because that cell phone is your lifeline. It has your maps, it has your itinerary, it has everything on there. So again, this is something you wanna do. So do it. Well. You've been listening to my miniseries on traveling solo. I only have a few more weeks left. But this traveling solo is being brought to you by ZM Max Travel Radio Productions, and it's presented by Collage Travel Media Network. Now in the upcoming weeks, I will be speaking with more travel vendors. I will also be speaking with travelers that have been traveling solo and how they loved it and what they went through in the beginning. You know, were they afraid? Were they not afraid? Was it something they always wanted to do? And then just. Put their toe in the water or did they jump in completely? And please feel free to share this with your friends, and you can subscribe to my podcast. It's absolutely free. So thanks for listening today. I'm z Michelson. And remember, travel doesn't require unanimous approval. It requires personal clarity. So until next time, travel strong, travel smart, travel solo, but not alone. and like I always say, reach for the stars. And if you only get to the moon, at least you made the trip. Have a great day and happy traveling.