What traveling solo in Vietnam at 50 taught me about strength

The 50th birthday trip to Vietnam was meant to be shared. Traveling alone wasn’t the original plan. But plans change, and instead of stepping back, I stepped forward. It turned out to be one of the most meaningful choices I could have made.

Traveling solo at 50 taught me that strength doesn’t always look like pushing harder or being fearless. Sometimes it looks like trusting yourself enough to go anyway. Being open to what unfolds and letting the experience shape you rather than trying to control it.

There was something grounding about moving through new places on my own timeline. I had to listen more closely to my instincts and choose rest when I needed it. I also chose to say yes when something felt right. I noticed how much I’ve learned over the years about reading people, navigating uncertainty, and staying steady even when things feel unfamiliar.

This trip also represented resilience in a very real way. It reminded me that caring for my mental wellness isn’t optional or indulgent. It’s essential. Stepping away from the noise and pace of life back home created space to breathe, reflect, and reconnect with parts of myself that get quieter when I’m constantly responsible for others.

Along the way, I met people who inspired me and reminded me that connection doesn’t require a shared history or even a shared language. It requires presence. Curiosity. A willingness to be human together, even briefly.

I don’t travel to escape my life. I travel to return to it more whole. More clear and more grounded in who I am and how I want to show up.

These experiences don’t just change me personally. They shape how I lead, how I listen, and how I work with others. Traveling this way reinforces what I know to be true in leadership and community work alike: clarity comes from perspective, trust comes from listening, and strength often looks quieter than we expect.

I came home proud. Grateful. And reminded that strength evolves. And sometimes, it looks like having the courage to take the trip anyway.