Night-Before Solo Travel Anxiety? Here’s How to Flip the Script
You’ve booked the trip, planned your outfits, double-checked your passport…but now that your solo adventure is just hours away, your getting nervous. Suddenly, the confidence that got you here is competing with nerves, doubts, and what-ifs.
First, breathe.
Night-before jitters are totally normal, especially for women stepping into solo travel, whether it’s your first time or your fifth. But anxiety doesn’t get to drive the trip. Here’s how to shift your mindset from anxious to excited and start your journey with courage and clarity.
Reframe Your Focus: Experience, Not Fear
It’s easy to let your mind spiral—“What if I get lonely?” “What if something goes wrong?”—but solo travel is less about being alone and more about being open. Instead of focusing on the unknown, focus on one experience each day that you’re genuinely excited for.
Try this:
List 3 things you can’t wait to do. That pastry in Paris. That hot spring in Iceland. That photo walk in Charleston. Let those moments be your anchors.
Plan One Connection Per Day
You don’t have to be surrounded by people 24/7, but small interactions can make your trip feel full and rich. Aim for one light social moment each day:
- A walking tour where you chat with other travelers
- A cooking class with locals
- A coffee at the same café each morning so the barista starts to recognize you
- Booking a solo photo shoot with a local photographer
These small touches of connection can ground you and bring unexpected joy.
Do a Little Extra Research Tonight
Knowledge is power and comfort. If anxiety is creeping in, try channeling that energy into learning a bit more about your destination. Look up:
- Public transportation options
- Where the locals go for dinner (not just the tourist spots)
- Solo-friendly activities
- Safety tips for your neighborhood or hotel
Having a few go-to places in your back pocket helps you feel more prepared and more excited.
Read a Solo Travel Story (Or Two)
You’re not the first woman to do this and you certainly won’t be the last. There are thousands of women who were once exactly where you are right now, and many of them are sharing their stories online.
Try reading:
- A blog post from a woman who took her first solo trip at 40
- Some of the solo travel content on Just Go Solo
- A book like Brave Enough by Cheryl Strayed or Alone Time by Stephanie Rosenbloom
Hearing how others overcame their nerves can be the pep talk you didn’t know you needed.
Shift Your Energy with Movement or Mindfulness
Sometimes, anxiety just needs a release valve. Take a walk, stretch, meditate, or journal your thoughts. A simple breathing exercise or calming playlist can work wonders.
Solo Travel Affirmation:
“I am capable. I am curious. I am creating memories that belong only to me.”
Say it. Repeat it. Believe it.
Make a “First Day Plan”
Having a simple, loose plan for Day 1 can ease anxiety and help you wake up with purpose instead of panic.
Your plan might include:
- Breakfast at a cute local spot
- A short city tour or museum visit
- An early check-in and nap if needed
- One moment of quiet, maybe by the water, in a park, or at a lookout point
Keep it light and joyful. Let your trip unfold from there.
Remember…
It’s okay to be scared. It means you care. It means you’re stepping into something new. But here’s the truth: you’re more ready than you think.
Solo travel isn’t about being fearless. It’s about moving forward anyway, with curiosity, openness, and trust in your own ability to handle what comes your way.
You’ve already done the hardest part. You have said yes to yourself.
So tonight, get some rest.
And tomorrow? Just go solo!
