As JourneyWomen, We Always Take the First Step

by | Apr 15, 2020

women's solo travel
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Last updated on October 28th, 2021

Over 30 years ago, Evelyn Hannon took her first step as a female solo traveller

She was afraid. She was alone. She didn’t know what the future would look like.

But she didn’t listen to conventional wisdom. She followed her heart. 

She took another step forward when she launched JourneyWoman.com, a grassroots website movement to connect women travellers around the world.

She told women: ‘you can do it!’ and inspired a generation to travel solo.

As JourneyWomen, we take the first step. We have an important role to play in the world.

We may not know exactly what the future looks like, but we know it will be different than what it is now. The COVID-19 pandemic has slowed us down, but it has not stopped our efforts to prepare for a time when we will travel again.

Let’s take the first step, together 

In periods of uncertainty, pressing onward can seem a near-impossible task. It’s like signing up for a race without knowing whether you’re running a 5k, 10k, half-marathon or full-marathon. We’re all putting one foot in front of the other in the mother of all marathons right now – a global race to beat COVID-19. There’s no clear finish line in sight. But you know what? That’s okay, because as any marathoner knows, you don’t complete the journey by focusing on the finish line. That way lies fatigue. You do it by focusing on that first step out of the starting line. And then the next one. And the next one after that. Marathons are won in micro-steps with macro effort. By staying rooted in the now. By taking each step and each leg of the race as it comes.

This is the ethos of JourneyWoman.

We take that first step into the unknown. Boldly. Decisively. Fear, doubt, anxiety, worry – these might weigh down our travel packs. Might make that first step and those that follow a little shaky. But the point is, we take that step. Right now, that step could be simply staying home. Or lending our unique skills to ease the burden on essential workers, or support the vulnerable. To calling that friend and asking how they’re doing. Asking again how they’re really doing when they say ‘fine.’ Holding space for the truth, and all of the emotions that truth stirs up. Some days, taking the first step could mean literally stepping out of bed when it’s the last thing we want to do.

Whatever steps you are taking to weather this crisis, we invite you to take them with us.

As a JourneyWoman.

Share your wisdom and feedback in the comments below, or join us on our Facebook Page for more discussion. 


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3 Comments

  1. Sunny Holtzman

    Well done Carolyn and Amanda. sorry can’t join you in your 4 PM call tonight as it is 11 PM in Israel and this lady will be fast asleep.

    Kudos to you all.

    Sunny

    Reply
  2. TheFisayo

    The featured picture on this article is inspiring. I love how adventurous you are.

    Reply
  3. Linda Higdon

    Hi Carolyn, Tom, Melissa and Amanda. I want to say this publicly. You are holding the torch for so many of us! Know that we are here for you in whatever you need as you take women’s travel into the future. I count my lucky stars that I know you and you are in my international network of women travelers from Australia to Kenya to California and Toronto. What I love most is that you are bringing forward people in travel we can trust, unedited and without agenda. It’s the rarest of gifts. Onward Ho!

    Reply

We always strive to use real photos from our own adventures, provided by the guest writer or from our personal travels. However, in some cases, due to photo quality, we must use stock photography. If you have any questions about the photography please let us know.

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