Just finding out that your travel buddy isn’t able to make the trip with you? Even though you guys did so much work pre-planning & even went to the extent of buying the tickets? The planner in me feels how stressed you may be finding out the news, but the opportunistic side of me says this as an opportunity to take the trip anyway! I’m not denying that this may be a stressful moment for you (which is why you’re searching this up) but I am saying that this might actually ignite a different aspect of you that you didn’t initially consider. Here are 5 reasons I suggest for people to take the trip anyway whenever their travel buddy cancel:

Why you should still go on that trip, even if your travel buddy canceled:

Yes, because traveling solo will be a great new experience for you.

It’s obvious that you planned this trip with someone else because you fully intended to go and experience the location with this person, but if you’ve never solo traveled before having this opportunity preplanned and pre-paid is a great time to just go for it anyway.

This itinerary was good enough when the two of you were talking about it in person it was good enough to spend the money to make sure that you reserved your spot, it could be a total possibility that it’s good enough for your first solo trip, right?

Yes, because you don’t want to keep doing your travel plans are people who cancel.

Another thing that I used to say and I constantly hear amongst other women travelers who haven’t traveled alone before is: you’re tired of being cancelled on. No one likes when the activities they are looking forward to are bailed on, but it’s even more disheartening when you get this far in the travel planning process for the cancellation to happen, yet again. You have to ask yourself, “When am I gonna stop waiting for everyone else? When am I going to stop delaying plans in my life because I’m worried about who else is with me?” Today! This trip, whenever it happens, this is your last straw of delaying your future plans because you’re waiting for a buddy to join you. It’s unfair to you to delay your life while waiting for someone else to be ready.

Yes, because this trip will give you opportunity to meet new people who are actually willing to go on trips.

Maybe the problem is your friends aren’t much travelers anyway, at least not this point in their life, and you’re worried that you won’t make new ones. In response I’m asking, what if you did? What if you went on the trip as it fully intended, then met people who had the same interests as you? What if you go and come across another woman traveler who is having their same maiden voyage and you realize that you can find friends that align with you and travel to those new places together, without expecting your previous friendships to match this current phase in your life.

I’m not saying that you have to ditch your childhood friends, but I am saying maybe this is the shift you needed to find people who truly align with the person you are now: someone passionate about traveling the world and experiencing new things.

Yes, because it’s the trip that you really wanted to go on.

I’m sure you didn’t plan an itinerary and pre-purchase plane tickets or excursions because you weren’t at all interested in going; I know you did all of those things because I know it’s somewhere that you were interested in experiencing. I would suggest that you go on the trip anyway because this is some thing you legitimately wanted to do. Travel will always be there, but you’re also here now and there’s nothing wrong with going through with it.

Yes, but if you’re set on experiencing this with someone you can post it in a travel group.

All right maybe you don’t want to go completely alone, but maybe you don’t want to be alone while there; have you considered posting in travel groups? There are women focused travel groups on Facebook that will allow you to find a travel buddy in no time. Maybe this person won’t show up at the airport/be on the plane next to you, but this can totally be a person that flies in on the second or third day of your trip; who knows you may build a friendship from someone who’s already at the location you intend to go. It’s still solo travel since you’re doing this alone, but there’s nothing wrong with setting up a few excursions or sharing the ones that you’re going on with people who align with your interests and very much want to travel too.

Yes, because what if you love it?

What if this was the initial trip that starts your passion for solo travel? You will always remember this moment & be grateful for your travel buddy bailing because of the new passion that was suddenly revealed to you.

You’ll remember this as the first time you follow through for yourself and every trip after we just keep getting better and better. Even if you are worried about going through it, I’ll ask: what if you do it anyway?

Are you ready to go on that trip anyway?

At the end of the day, sometimes the most unexpected moments lead to the most rewarding experiences. So, whether you choose to embark on this adventure solo or find a new companion along the way, remember that the journey is what you make of it. If this post has tempted you to take the trip anyway, then make sure you check out my other posts about solo travel, travel tips & the free travel itineraries to help you plan this trip out, gain inspiration and fill your itinerary with free and affordable activities. Embrace the freedom, the challenges, and the opportunities that come your way—you might just discover a new side of yourself and create memories that will last a lifetime.