Travel Anxiety: Why Women Keep Putting Off the Trips They Really Want

Why we wait for the perfect time to travel, what's holding us back, and how to finally feel confident about going.

There's a trip you've been thinking about. Maybe it's hiking through the Italian Dolomites, swimming in Croatia's turquoise waters, or exploring a country you've dreamed of visiting for years. You've looked at the photos, checked the dates, and opened the itinerary more times than you'd like to admit. You can picture yourself there, but somehow, the booking never happens.

Not because you don't want to go. You absolutely do. But work is busy, your friends can't make it, or you're unsure about traveling alone. Maybe you're wondering whether you'll fit in, whether you're active enough, or whether now is the right time to spend the money. So you tell yourself, Maybe next year.

I hear this often from women considering their first Sunny & Turquoise trip. Sometimes the hardest part of traveling isn't getting on the plane. It's making the decision to go.

Why Do Women Keep Postponing Travel?

I think women are particularly good at finding reasons to put themselves last. Between work, family, relationships, and everyday responsibilities, there's always something that needs our attention. Somewhere in the middle of it all is a destination we've been dreaming about, but taking a trip simply because we want to can feel surprisingly difficult.

Of course, there are legitimate reasons to wait. Travel costs money, time away requires planning, and sometimes the timing genuinely isn't right. But I've also talked with women who have the time and means to travel yet still can't quite commit. That's when it's worth asking: What am I actually waiting for?

Travel Anxiety Doesn't Always Look Like Fear

When we hear travel anxiety, we often picture someone who's afraid of flying or nervous about visiting another country. But anxiety about traveling can show up in quieter ways, like researching the same trip for months, waiting for a friend to commit, or convincing yourself you're not fit enough for an adventure.

Sometimes the worries have little to do with the destination. Will I fit in? Should I spend this money on myself? What if I don't enjoy it? These are reasonable questions, but there's a difference between carefully considering a trip and repeatedly talking yourself out of something you genuinely want to experience.

What If You Don't Have Anyone to Travel With?

This is one of the biggest hesitations I hear. Your friends can't get away, your partner isn't interested, or everyone has different schedules. Suddenly, the trip you've been dreaming about depends on someone else's availability. But here's what I wish more women knew: You don't need to bring a friend to make friends on a trip.

Many women join Sunny & Turquoise without knowing anyone else. They arrive with their suitcases, a few butterflies, and the hope that they've made a good decision. Then we start exploring, hiking, sharing meals, laughing, and trying new things together. Somewhere along the way, those unfamiliar faces become the women you're looking forward to seeing at breakfast. That's what I love about women's group travel. You can make the decision to go somewhere on your own without having to experience it alone.

What If You're Not Adventurous Enough?

Maybe you've seen photos of women hiking in the Dolomites or biking through the countryside and wondered whether you could keep up. It's a fair question, and one I always encourage women to ask before booking. Every trip has different physical expectations, but you don't have to be the most experienced hiker or the fastest cyclist in the group. I love active travel because of how it makes us feel: the excitement of trying something new, the satisfaction of reaching a beautiful viewpoint, and the laughter along the way. I also love slow mornings, long lunches, and afternoons doing absolutely nothing. That balance is something I intentionally build into Sunny & Turquoise trips. The goal is to experience incredible places while having room to breathe, not to compete with anyone else.

Why Women's Group Travel Can Make It Easier to Say Yes

One of the beautiful things about women's group travel is that you get the excitement of making an independent decision without having to plan every detail yourself. The accommodations, transportation, activities, and local experiences are thoughtfully organized, and you're sharing the adventure with women who are just as excited to be there.

For someone considering their first solo trip, that support can make a big difference. You're stepping outside your routine, meeting new people, and exploring somewhere unfamiliar, but you have a plan and a group to share it with.

The important thing is choosing a trip that fits you. Some women want challenging hikes and full days of adventure. Others want cultural experiences, beautiful scenery, and downtime. The best trip isn't necessarily the most impressive one in photos. It's the one that sounds like the way you want to travel.

You Don't Have to Wait for the Perfect Time

Life rarely hands us a completely clear calendar. There will almost always be another project, responsibility, or reason why next year might be easier. And sometimes waiting really is the right decision. But if you've been saying next year for the past five years, it might be worth asking whether you're waiting for something that doesn't exist. Before Sunny & Turquoise, I spent 30 years in the restaurant business. When I sold my restaurant, I didn't have my next chapter figured out. I certainly couldn't have imagined the places I'd travel, the women I'd meet, or the friendships that would become such an important part of my life. Stepping away from something familiar made room for something different. Travel can do that, too. It gives us opportunities to try new things, meet people we otherwise wouldn't have met, and discover a little more about ourselves along the way.

Maybe This Is the Year You Finally Go

If there's a destination you've been dreaming about, give that feeling some attention. Ask questions, understand the itinerary, consider your budget, and choose an experience that genuinely excites you. You don't need to feel completely fearless or wait until everyone else is ready. You don't have to become a more adventurous, confident, or experienced version of yourself before you travel. You can simply show up as you are. And sometimes the experiences we remember most are the ones we almost talked ourselves out of.

Thinking about joining a Sunny & Turquoise trip? 

Explore our upcoming women's trips or send me a message. I'm always happy to talk through your questions and help you find an adventure that feels right for you.

Happy Trails,

Lea