Stop Swiping, Start Traveling: Why Women Deserve More Than Dead-End Dating Apps

On August 26, 2025, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce announced their engagement.  For many women, this milestone felt like the logical next step for a couple in a romance filled with music and fairy tales. But here’s a thought worth highlighting - while this is their next chapter, you have a solo chapter (Call it your “Solo Travel Era”) that is likely still yours to write. NBC News reported that “Nearly 40% of female travelers voiced interest in setting out solo in 2025, the tourism market research firm Future Partners found in a recent survey — up 8 percentage points from a year earlier.” Because you don’t need a wedding or a love story to live a life that’s bold, fascinating, and deeply you.

Solo Travel as Self-Definition

Taylor is a shining example of a woman who built her empire—her identity—on her own terms before saying “Yes.” Whether you're single and you haven’t yet met your Travis, recently divorced, widowed, or simply redefining your path as part of a happy marriage, your life and passions matter now.

Solo travel isn’t just packing a bag—it’s intentionally reclaiming your identity, heart, and joy away from predefined roles (including wife, mother, and caregiver) or relationships. It lets you reconnect with your deepest interests, big dreams, and wild curiosities.

The Opportunity Cost of the Swipe-Cycle

Here’s a powerful truth: if you’re divorced, widowed, or single how many hours have you spent endlessly swiping through dating apps, preparing for dates that go nowhere, and hoping for “something more”? I cringe at the time I spent talking on the phone to an online match because I “loved the sound of his voice.”  I had a vision of what he looked like, and you guessed it! When he opened the door and tumbled out of his vehicle to meet me for our first dinner, my immediate response was “Oh NO!”  Big surprise: his online dating pictures in his profile weren’t recent, so I put outdated pictures with an incredible voice for an image that was quickly dashed.  I wanted to give him a chance as I’m not superficial, so I invested more time in our dinner and a movie.  This is just one date!  Let’s not even count the time I spent getting ready that day and driving to/from our meeting place.  Sigh …  

What if even a fraction of that time you’re spending trying to date was channeled into build something meaningful for you—your confidence, your dreams?

Instead of paying for yet another subscription to Match.com or enduring another dizzying loop of "are we dating the same guy?"dramas—invest in you. With my free emails, helpful travel guide and individual coaching sessions, I help women channel that energy into travel confidence and adventure that lasts.

Real Talk: Why Solo Travel Is Worth It

• Build Confidence That Comes from Your Own Decisions
      Deciding where you want to go and what you want to do (finally), and navigating your trip—solo travel teaches trust in your instincts and courage in your     choices.  Plus, no one complains about your driving!  
• Create Your Own Narrative
      Stories matter. You deserve joyful, enriching chapters—solo trips often come with unforgettable highs and growth that comes from reflecting on what’s not working in life.
• Make Memories, Not Statements
      Solo travel lets you do things just because you want to—not to impress someone else, but to honor yourself.

How I Support You: Travel Coach + Guide

I understand transitions are really hard to navigate alone from my own devastation and unwanted change in my life.  At just 33, I was diagnosed with not only cancer, but stage 4 cancer.  So I’ve been professionally trained through Coach U as an individual coach helping guide women like you through your challenging times to successfully solo traveling.  Speaking with me gaining energy and clarity from our interaction is way better than returning to read more comments from women you don’t know the credentials of in that Facebook community you’re putting travel questions in.  Scary!  

Whether you’re ending your marriage, starting over after the loss of a spouse or partner, or redefining life’s path because you’re sad everyone else’s needs are constantly put ahead of your own, I am here to help you enter your solo travel era calm, confident, and excited about your future plans!

My free emails deliver actionable tips, safety secrets, and solo confidence straight to your inbox. Want to talk with a solo travel expert who’s traveled solo safely & successfully for decades now? My individual coaching sessions are tailor-made (Get it? “Taylor-made” since our theme is Taylor Swift!) to help you build a plan that aligns with your dreams, budget, and comfort level.

And if you lead a women’s group or organization seeking speakers, I’d love to bring this conversation to your stage—helping women turn “we” into “me.”

Final Thought: It’s Not About Waiting

You don’t need to wait for “someday.”  Taylor didn’t focus all her energy on finding the one first.  She put her time and energy into pursuing her musical passions.  Sure she dated along the way, but she didn’t rush into marriage. Ask yourself: “What do you want to do?” Then take the first step—maybe it’s a city weekend, a national park adventure, or just your first solo overnight away where you hit the spa, journal, and dine on your own reading that magazine you never have time to get through.  

You’ll discover not just where you can go—but who you are when no one is pushing what they want to do on you.

© 2025 Joy Huber. All rights reserved.

This blog and all content herein is the intellectual property of Joy Huber and Travel With Joy TV. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, please contact: joy@TravelWithJoyTV.com.

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