Taking Time for “Me” in this Chapter of Life

Travel inspiration for women entering a new chapter, new season in life.

There comes a season in a woman's life when things begin to shift. The kids are more independent — maybe even away at college or starting their own life now. The house may be a little quieter. Retirement may be on the horizon. And after years of schedules, responsibilities, careers, family obligations and making sure everyone else was taken care of, you may suddenly find yourself asking: what about me?

Not in a selfish way. In a maybe it's time to make a little more room for myself kind of way. Maybe it's time to rediscover some of the things that make you curious. Maybe it's time to laugh more. Maybe it's time to see somewhere you've never seen before. And maybe it's time to take a trip that's not centered around what everyone else wants to do. Maybe a trip where it’s about you. Where you can breathe a little deeper and a little longer.

As women, we spend so much of our lives showing up for other people. Our children. Our spouses. Our parents. Our careers. Our families. Our communities. And we wouldn't trade those years or those relationships for anything.

But somewhere along the way, it can become easy to put ourselves toward the bottom of our own list. So, it’s time to start thinking about the idea of "taking time for me."

Not running away from our lives. Not trying to become someone new. Maybe a little reset, of sorts. Simply stepping away from the everyday for a little while and giving ourselves permission to enjoy the woman we've become after all these years. And I can't think of a better way to do that than through travel. Whether you go solo, or invite a girlfriend(s) — it’s time for YOU.

Maybe a Trip Just for You, Going Solo

To the woman quietly thinking, “What if I went by myself?” There can be something incredibly meaningful about traveling solo. You get to move at your own pace, follow your curiosity, linger a little longer over morning coffee, change your plans simply because something caught your eye, and experience a new place without worrying about anyone else's schedule.

Solo travel gives you space to be present—to listen to your own thoughts, notice the world around you, and reconnect with the woman you are today. It doesn't have to be lonely; in fact, it can be wonderfully freeing. You may meet new people along the way, share conversations you never expected to have, and discover a confidence in yourself that perhaps you had forgotten was there. Sometimes traveling alone isn't about being alone at all. It's about giving yourself the space to fully enjoy your own company—and realizing that you are pretty wonderful company to keep.

And There's Something Special About Traveling With Girlfriends

Some trips are wonderful with your spouse or family. And then there are girlfriend trips.

Girlfriend trips are different, special. There's laughter over morning coffee. Long conversations over dinner. Shopping when you feel like shopping. Stopping for another glass of wine because nobody is in a hurry. There's getting dressed up for dinner one evening and wearing comfortable shoes and exploring all day the next. There's sharing stories, encouraging one another and occasionally laughing so hard about something completely ridiculous that you know it will become one of those memories you talk about for years.

The beautiful thing about a girlfriend trip is that your "girlfriend" can be so many people. Your sister. Your daughter. Your mom. Your childhood friend. Your cousin. Your best friend. Your bookclub friends. Or a woman you haven't even met yet who might become a wonderful new friend somewhere along the journey.

The Power of Girlfriends

Women have an incredible ability to lift one another up.

We listen. We encourage. We understand. We celebrate each other's victories, sit beside each other through difficult seasons and remind one another who we are when life gets complicated.

There is strength in that connection. There is beauty in it. And there is something pretty wonderful about bringing that spirit together with travel. It’s not about age. It's not about being single or married. It's not about whether you're retired, still working or somewhere in between. And it's definitely not about having the perfect travel companion.

It's simply about women making time for women. Because we understand what those needs are.

So, Girlfriend…Where Do You Want To Go?

That's the fun part. Maybe you’ll wander cobblestone streets somewhere in Europe. Maybe you’ll unpack once and sail to beautiful destinations. Maybe you’ll sip wine overlooking vineyards, explore charming villages, relax beside a gorgeous sea or wake up somewhere you’ve never been before.

The destination will come. The details will come. For now, start dreaming of your “me time” travel experience.

Start thinking about YOU.

Could you give yourself a few days away next year? Could you finally take that girlfriend trip you've talked about forever? Could you invite your mom while you still have the opportunity to travel together? Could you make memories with your grown daughter that belong to this new chapter of your relationship? Could you call your sister or your best friend and say, "Let's actually do it this time."

Where Are You in Your Season of Life?

The wonderful thing about travel is that the right destination isn't necessarily the place everyone else is visiting. It's the place that fits you right now.

Maybe this is your season for rest. Find a beautiful resort, order something wonderful to drink, read a book beside the water and give yourself permission to do absolutely nothing. Maybe this is your season for discovery.

Explore the markets of Provence. Wander through Florence. Sail the Danube. Visit ancient ruins in Greece. Taste wine in Portugal. Learn the stories behind places you've only seen in photographs.

Maybe this is your season for adventure. Go whale watching in Alaska. Hike somewhere beautiful. Take a safari. Kayak along an unforgettable coastline. Try something that makes you just a tiny bit nervous—and incredibly proud afterward.

Maybe this is your season for connection. Invite the women you love and create a trip around laughter, long dinners, shared experiences and conversations that don't have to end because someone needs to rush home. And maybe this is simply your season to breathe. There is no wrong answer.

Travel Can Be a Celebration

We often think we need a reason to take a special trip. A milestone birthday. An anniversary. Retirement. A graduation. A wedding. But sometimes the reason can simply be:

I've worked hard. I've cared for people I love. I've lived a lot of life. And I'd like to experience a little more of this beautiful world.

That is reason enough. Travel doesn't have to be an escape from your life. It can be a celebration of it. A chance to recognize the woman you've become, remember pieces of yourself that may have gotten tucked away over the years, and discover a few new ones along the way.

Let The Walrus Help You Find Your Place

At The Walrus, I love helping women find the trip that feels right for where they are in life—not simply where everyone else says they should go. Sometimes that means a beautiful river cruise through Europe. Sometimes it's an ocean voyage, a relaxing island getaway, a long-awaited European adventure or a special trip shared between mothers and daughters, sisters or lifelong friends.

And sometimes it begins with a woman saying: "Rose, I know I want to go somewhere. I'm just not sure where." And that's okay. That's actually a wonderful place to begin. We can talk about what you're craving. Rest? Adventure? Culture? Sunshine? Connection? A little pampering? Something completely different from your everyday life?

From there, we can find the destinations and travel experiences that match you—and take care of the details so you can concentrate on looking forward to the journey. Because this trip isn't about checking another destination off a list. It's about finding a little corner of the world where you can laugh, explore, breathe deeply, make memories and celebrate the woman you are today.

Maybe It's Your Turn

There will always be reasons to wait. But there are also beautiful reasons to go. So call your friend. Ask your sister. Invite your daughter. Take your mom. Or pack the suitcase and go on your own.

You don't need permission to make yourself part of your own plans. You have spent a lifetime showing up for the people you love. Maybe this is the season to show up for yourself, too.

And somewhere out there, your special place in the world may be waiting for you.

Let's go find it.

Here’s to girlfriends, new adventures & making time for ourselves!

- 💜 Rose Snyder
The Walrus Travel Company
Helping women travel boldly, meaningfully, and in a way that feels beautifully their own.