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Solo Travel After 40: Why Black Women Are Done Waiting
- Anne Marie aka Baldgirlwilltravel
- Jan 20
- 4 min read
Let me say this plainly — because somebody needs to hear it without the softening:
If you are over 40, you do not need permission to live your life.
Not from friends who can never align schedules.Not from family who worry more than they support. And definitely not from people who love the idea of travel but never actually book anything.
For a lot of Black women, travel has always come with conditions.
When the kids are grown.When work slows down.
When someone else can go with me. When I’m not being selfish.
This decade?This is the one where we stop waiting.
The Waiting Season Is Over
By the time we reach our 40s and beyond, most of us are experts at waiting.
We waited while we built careers. We waited while we carried households — emotionally, financially, mentally. We waited while we were dependable, reliable, and always “the strong one.”
And somewhere in all that responsibility, joy kept getting pushed to the back of the line.
Solo travel isn’t about being alone.It’s about agency. It’s about deciding that your life doesn’t require consensus.
Why Solo Travel Feels Different After 40
Traveling solo in your 20s can feel like proving something.Traveling solo after 40 feels like reclaiming something.
At this stage of life:
you know what you like — and what you absolutely don’t
you’re less interested in chaos and more interested in comfort
you don’t need to see everything or do everything
you value rest, safety, and intention
You’re not traveling to impress anyone.You’re traveling to reconnect with yourself.
And for many Black women, solo travel becomes one of the few spaces where we don’t have to explain ourselves, perform competence, or make other people comfortable.
“But Isn’t It Safer to Go With Someone?”
This question keeps a lot of women stuck.
Safety matters — always.But waiting on other people does not automatically make you safer.
What actually creates safety is:
choosing destinations thoughtfully
understanding transportation and arrival logistics
selecting accommodations intentionally
planning for healthcare and emergencies
trusting your instincts
Solo travel doesn’t mean careless travel.It means prepared travel.
And the truth is, many of us already do all the planning anyway. Solo travel just removes the delays and compromises.
Solo Doesn’t Mean Unsafe — It Means Prepared
This is exactly why I created A Guide to Travel Safety and Security for Solo Female Travelers.
I wanted a resource that speaks to women — especially Black women over 40 — without fear-mongering, shame, or telling us to stay home.
This guide is about being informed, not paranoid.
Inside, I break down:
how to think about safety before you book
how to realistically assess destinations
what to consider when choosing accommodations
how to plan for medical and emergency situations
how to move confidently without drawing unnecessary attention
It’s written with solo female travelers in mind, but the strategies apply to any traveler who wants to move through the world intentionally and securely.
Solo travel after 40 isn’t about being fearless.It’s about being ready.
Why Black Women Over 40 Are Especially Ready
There’s a particular power that comes with traveling solo at this stage of life.
We stop shrinking.We stop apologizing.We stop centering everyone else’s comfort.
We travel slower. We dress how we want.We eat where we want. We rest without guilt.
For many of us, solo travel becomes a quiet act of resistance — against burnout, invisibility, and the lie that our best years are behind us. They’re not.
You Don’t Need a Perfect Plan — You Need a Start
If you’ve been waiting for:
the perfect travel buddy
the “right” timing
permission to choose yourself
This is it.
Start small if you need to.Choose destinations that align with who you are now, not who you were 20 years ago. Prioritize comfort, safety, and joy.
And remember: you are not late. You are right on time.
Final Thoughts
Solo travel after 40 isn’t about escape.It’s about arrival. Arrival into yourself. Arrival into freedom. Arrival into a life where you stop postponing joy because someone else can’t commit. This decade isn’t for waiting. It’s for living.
Download the Travel Safety and Security Guide for Solo Female Travelers
For more detailed information on how to stay safe while exploring the world solo, check out my guide Travel Safety and Security for Solo Female Travelers.
This guide covers everything from cultural norms to situational awareness and practical planning, empowering you to travel confidently — not fearfully.
This resource is packed with thoughtful, real-world advice to help solo female travelers move through the world informed, prepared, and secure.
Whether you want to join one of my BaldGirlWillTravel group adventures or create a custom solo itinerary just for you, I can help you plan the trip you’ve been dreaming about — stress-free, stylish, and unforgettable.
I now offer custom travel planning for women who are ready to explore the world on their own terms—with safety, style, and confidence.
👯♀️ Prefer group travel with like-minded women?
Join one of my 2026 Girls Trips curated just for Black women 40+.
We're headed to Bali, Ireland and San Miguel de Allende MX —and yes, payment plans are available!
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Thank You For Reading!
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