Key Takeaways
- Once a month, Kristin Addis from Be My Travel Muse writes a guest column featuring tips and advice on solo female travel. It’s an important topic I ca
- I swallowed hard as I sat across from her, hoping the news would go over smoothly. I’d been sitting on the information for months and had finally work
- “Mom,” I began, “I’m quitting my job to travel the world.” I held my breath and wished I could hide behind something while she considered the news.
Updated: 6/21/20 | June 21st, 2020
Once a month, Kristin Addis from Be My Travel Muse writes a guest column featuring tips and advice on solo female travel. It’s an important topic we can’t adequately cover alone, so we brought in an expert to share her insights. This month’s column focuses on navigating unsupportive friends and family who worry about safety—or imagine worst-case scenarios straight out of Hollywood.
I swallowed hard as I sat across from her, hoping the news would go over smoothly. I’d been sitting on the information for months and had finally worked up the courage to tell her.
“Mom,” I began, “I’m quitting my job to travel the world.” I held my breath and wished I could hide behind something while she considered the news.
There was no questioning, no criticism, and no attempt to talk me out of it. I had her support. Plain and simple. It was a huge relief and, now that she knew, I could tell the rest of the world too.
Have you found yourself in the same position? You’re dying to travel the world. You’ve decided not to wait until a friend, family member, or significant other can join you—because if you did, you might be waiting forever. You’re excited about the road ahead, but one hurdle remains: telling everyone in your life that you’ll be gone for a while, all by yourself, on the other side of the globe.
One of the biggest sources of anxiety is breaking the news to friends and family. They may ask you, “What about your career? What about your partner/lease/cat/garage band? Should you really be out in this big, scary world alone? Isn’t it unsafe for women to travel? Aren’t you worried about ending up like in that movie ‘Taken’?”
Their concerns are natural—and it’s wise to anticipate a mix of reactions, not just enthusiastic approval like my mother’s.
So, when you get negative feedback, how do you respond to criticisms and concerns? What do you do when your friends and family don’t support your trip—or when your parents actively oppose it?
Here’s practical advice from Route for Less on how to address doubts, build confidence, and win over even the most hesitant loved ones:
Make Sure You’re Committed
If you’re uncertain about traveling solo, it’ll be easier for concerned friends and family to dissuade you. Avoid announcing a half-formed idea—don’t say you’re “thinking about” or “maybe considering” solo travel unless you truly mean it.
Ask yourself: Does the dream of traveling keep you awake at night (in a good way)? Are you more excited about exploring the world than anything else right now?
Have you researched realistic costs for long-term travel?
Are you dedicated enough to save—and stick to—a budget?
If yes, you’ve likely moved beyond fantasy into intention. Now, turn that intention into action—with a clear, thoughtful plan.
Have a Solid Plan
Sit down and map out key details—destinations, timelines, accommodations, safety strategies, communication plans, and contingency options. When loved ones raise concerns, respond with clarity—not defensiveness. Showing them how thoroughly you’ve prepared helps ease their anxiety.
Your passion may even become contagious. Often, people shift from skeptical to supportive once they see how deeply this journey matters to you—and how seriously you’re taking it.
When I asked my mother what made her support my decision so quickly, she said it was because she saw how detailed my planning was—and that told her how much it meant to me.
I shared examples of other solo travelers, outlined a flexible itinerary, explained how I’d stay connected, listed countries I planned to visit, recommended blogs and resources, and walked through my budget. She felt included—not sidelined. That made all the difference.
Anticipate questions—and prepare answers in advance.
Let the Numbers Do the Talking
“You shouldn’t be traveling alone—it’s dangerous” is a common concern. Parents naturally want their child safe—and sometimes assume solo travel abroad is inherently riskier than staying home. But reality doesn’t match that fear: the skills you use daily to stay safe apply just as well overseas.
It also helps to point out that solo female travel is growing rapidly—and increasingly normalized. A quick search for “solo female travel” returns millions of results. Study after study confirms that with preparation and awareness, solo travel is both safe and deeply rewarding.
