25 Positive Affirmations to Overcome Travel Anxiety for Solo Female Travelers

One thing many seasoned travelers don’t talk about is travel anxiety.

Pre-trip jitters are completely normal, whether you have an anxiety disorder or not.

Travel anxiety can stem from a fear of the unknown, safety concerns, language barriers, loneliness, and more.

Travelers are often called brave — but what does that really mean?

As Nelson Mandela said:

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”

Just like we have medicine for physical conditions, it’s helpful to have an anxiety toolkit at your disposal, filled with techniques for managing anxiety while traveling, or for anticipatory anxiety before your trip.

One of my top travel anxiety tips is positive affirmations.

Positive affirmations are brief, optimistic statements you repeat to challenge and reframe negative thinking patterns and affirm positive self-concept.

25 positive affirmations for overcoming travel anxiety 

Reference the 40 affirmations below, grouped into different themes based on what you would like to focus on.

Choose some that resonate with you the most and repeat them not only when you start to feel anxious, but also prior to that to prevent travel anxiety from overcoming you in the first place.

Feel free to tweak or even come up with your own affirmation statements!

Confidence and Safety:

• I am confident in my ability to navigate new places safely and successfully.
• I trust my instincts and make choices that keep me safe and happy.
• I am strong, resilient, and capable of handling any situation that comes my way.
• I am capable of overcoming obstacles and turning them into valuable lessons.
• I am confident in my ability to navigate different cultures and connect with people from all walks of life.

Independence and Self-Reliance:

• I am comfortable with being alone and find joy in my own company.
• I am proud of myself for taking the bold step to travel alone and explore the world.
• I honor my intuition and use it to guide me on my solo travels.
• I am in control of my travel experiences and make choices that align with my values.
• I embrace the freedom of solo travel and the opportunity it gives me to discover my true self.
• I am proud of my journey and the courage it takes to explore the world on my own.

Adventure and Exploration:

• I embrace the excitement and challenges of solo travel with an open heart.
• I am excited for my upcoming journey of self-discovery and empowerment.
• I embrace the unknown with curiosity and excitement.
• I approach each new destination with an open heart and mind.
• I am open to new experiences and opportunities that enhance my travel journey.

Socializing and Connection:

• I am open to meeting new people and creating meaningful connections along my journey.
• I radiate positivity and attract supportive, friendly people during my travels.
• I trust in my ability to adapt and thrive in diverse environments.

Power and Courage:

• Traveling is an act of resistance, and I am excited to smash the patriarchy.
• I am deserving of all the wonderful experiences that travel has to offer.
• I celebrate the courage it takes to travel solo and appreciate my adventurous spirit.
• I am a powerful and inspiring solo traveler, breaking barriers and creating new paths.
• I am a trailblazer, setting an example for other women to follow their travel dreams.
• I am making the generations of women before me proud.

Do positive affirmations actually work?

You can do the latter by gently tapping any part of your body that you choose, such as your shoulders, chest or thighs.

The more you practice these affirmations, the more they can reshape your thinking and make you feel more at ease.

How positive affirmations helped me on my first solo trip

I had an anxiety attack at the airport on my first solo trip to the Netherlands.

It was terrifying because this was going to be my first truly solo adventure.

Sadly, the weather in Amsterdam in April 2022 wasn’t the best, so I continued to experience anxiety the whole week.

Finally, I booked myself a tour to Keukenhof Gardens and Zaanse Scans via Viator.

When I arrived to Keukenhof Gardens, I found myself a small, secluded corner in this stunning garden, and repeated positive affirmations back to myself out loud, while tapping my knees — something I learned in therapy.

My trip started to look up from there on.

I felt more confident, recharged and excited for the rest of my trip.

Since then, I have never again experienced travel anxiety when I have a trip coming up.

This small world has started to feel smaller thanks to pushing through the travel anxiety during my first trip — going from Toronto to Vancouver started to feel like I’m just walking over to my next door neighbor’s house.

Traveling offers significant opportunities for personal growth and transformation, but it’s natural to experience travel anxiety, especially when embarking on a solo journey.

The unfamiliar can be daunting, but overcoming travel anxiety is a vital part of the adventure.

By facing these fears, you not only gain confidence in your ability to navigate the world but also discover a deeper sense of self-reliance, courage, and empowerment, just like I did in the Netherlands.

Positive affirmations are a powerful tool to help shift your mindset and equip you with the mental resilience needed to overcome challenges that arise while traveling.

They remind you of your strength, capability, and worth, even in moments of uncertainty.

Whether you’re concerned about your safety, feeling isolated, or worried about navigating unfamiliar environments, affirmations help you stay grounded and focused on the joy and personal growth that travel brings.

Solo travel is not only an opportunity to explore new places but also to explore yourself — your courage, adaptability, and adventurous spirit.

Each journey becomes an empowering testament to your ability to overcome anxiety and embrace the beauty of the world.

As you prepare for your first solo trip, be kind to yourself, trust in your abilities, and remember that it’s okay to feel nervous.

Courage isn’t the absence of fear, but the willingness to keep going despite it.

With these affirmations in your anxiety toolkit, you’ll be well-equipped to transform travel anxiety into confidence, self-growth, and life-changing experiences. Happy travels!