The One Mistake Midlife Women Make When Planning a Big Trip
There’s something powerful about planning a big trip in midlife.
For many of us, it’s the first time we’re traveling with:
Fewer child logistics
More financial freedom
More confidence
More self-awareness
And yet, I see the same mistake over and over again.
We over-plan.
Why We Do It
It makes sense.
We waited years.
We saved.
We sacrificed.
We postponed.
So when the opportunity finally comes, we want to make it count.
A few years ago, I planned what I thought was the perfect European itinerary.
Five cities. Driving all over France. Back-to-back reservations. Early mornings. Late dinners. And then to do it all over again in Spain.
It looked beautiful on paper.
But by day four, we were tired. Snappy. Secretly wanting to sleep in and start scratching things off the itinerary.
That was my wake-up call.
In your 30s, you travel to see everything.
In midlife, you travel to feel something.
Those are not the same trip.
In your 30s, you travel to see everything.
In midlife, you travel to feel something.
Those are not the same trip.
What Happens When You Overbook
When you schedule:
Three activities a day
Constant hotel changes
Back-to-back reservations
Early departures and late returns
You create decision fatigue.
You create physical exhaustion.
And most importantly, you eliminate presence.
You cannot savor a long lunch in Tuscany if you’re watching the clock for the next train.
You cannot connect deeply on a girlfriend trip if everyone is worried about what’s next on the itinerary.
You cannot feel expansive if you’re managing logistics.
The Midlife Travel Shift
At this stage of life, travel should feel:
Spacious.
Intentional.
Comfortable.
Elevated.
It should support your energy, not drain it.
This is the planning framework I now use for myself and my clients.
The Framework I Follow Now
1. One Anchor Experience Per Day
One meaningful activity. That’s it.
A private food tour.
A vineyard lunch.
A guided walk through a historic neighborhood.
One anchor creates anticipation without overwhelm.
Everything else becomes optional.
2. Protect the Mornings
Unless it’s something truly special, I do not book 7 a.m. starts anymore.
Midlife travel should include slow coffee.
Natural wake-ups.
Space to decide what the day wants to be.
3. Limit Hotel Moves
Every hotel change costs you more than you think.
Packing.
Transport.
Reorientation.
Energy.
Fewer moves create grounding.
Grounding creates enjoyment.
4. Build in White Space
White space is where the magic happens.
It’s the unexpected café.
The long conversation.
The wandering street you didn’t research.
Overplanned itineraries eliminate spontaneity.
5. Upgrade Logistics Where It Matters
Private transfers.
Strategic flight times.
Walkable hotels.
These small upgrades reduce friction, which dramatically improves the experience.
Luxury is not always about thread count.
It’s about ease.
The Real Goal
The goal is not to “do Europe.”
It’s not to hit every ChatGPT recommendation or Instagram hotspot.
The goal is to return home:
Grounded.
Inspired.
Reconnected.
Already dreaming of going back.
If You’re Planning Something Big
If you’re staring at an itinerary that already feels crowded, that’s usually your sign.
Simplifying does not mean missing out.
It means experiencing more deeply.
A Travel Vision Call is where we map out what kind of trip fits this season of your life before it turns into spreadsheet chaos.
You’ll answer a few quick questions so I can come prepared and follow up with next steps.
