Travel Smarter
Travel is about more than visiting beautiful destinations, taking pictures, and checking places off your bucket list. It is also about how you feel along the way.
Can you enjoy a delicious meal when you’re traveling alone? Can you get comfortable enough to rest on a long flight? And when you finally return home, can you unpack without letting your suitcase take over your bedroom for a week?
As women over 50, we deserve to enjoy our travel experiences without making them harder than they need to be. A few simple strategies can help us travel with more confidence, stay comfortable, and ease back into our routines when the adventure ends.
On my Travel Tip Tuesday series, I share practical ideas to help women enjoy their journeys. Today, we’re talking about three things that can make a difference: dining alone, resting on long flights, and unpacking after vacation.
Let’s get into it!
Table for One, Please! How to Dine Alone With Confidence
Let’s be honest. Have you ever walked into a restaurant alone and felt like everyone was looking at you?
You find your way to the table, sit down, and suddenly become very aware that you’re dining alone. You might even wonder what other people are thinking.
Here’s a quick reminder: Most people are focused on their own meals, conversations, and experiences. Even if someone glances your way, that doesn’t mean they’re judging you.
It’s time to change the way we think about dining alone.
Change Your Mindset
You aren’t a woman who couldn’t find someone to have dinner with. You’re a woman who booked a trip, showed up for the adventure, and decided to treat herself to a good meal.
What’s wrong with that? Absolutely nothing!
You don’t need a travel companion to enjoy delicious food or experience a wonderful restaurant. Think of that table for one as your VIP reservation. You made the trip, and you deserve to enjoy it.
Choose a Seat Where You Feel Comfortable
If you prefer a window seat, ask for one. If you’d rather sit at the bar, ask for it. Don’t be afraid to express your seating preference when the restaurant can accommodate it.
And if walking into a large, upscale restaurant feels intimidating, start somewhere smaller. Try a neighborhood café, a casual restaurant, or a place with outdoor seating. As you become more comfortable, you can work your way up to that fancy restaurant you’ve been wanting to try.
Bring Something to Enjoy While You Wait
A book, a journal, or your phone can help you feel more comfortable while waiting for your meal.
I especially like the idea of keeping a travel journal. Write about your day’s adventures, capture a memorable moment, or describe the meal you’re about to enjoy.
If you use your phone, try not to spend the entire meal scrolling. Give yourself an opportunity to savor the food and take in the atmosphere.
Make the Meal Part of the Adventure
One of the best parts of traveling is experiencing the local culture, and food can be a wonderful introduction.
Ask your server about the restaurant’s specialties or what they personally recommend. Try a dish the destination is known for, and if there’s a local dessert worth sampling, treat yourself.
You don’t have to strike up a conversation with strangers unless you want to. Enjoying your own company is enough.
Your solo dining reminder: You don’t need permission to enjoy your own company. Smile, take your seat, and enjoy that table for one!
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Long Flight Ahead? Tips to Help You Rest More Comfortably
Some people can sleep through an eight-hour, 12-hour, or even 16-hour flight. Others, like me, have a much harder time getting comfortable enough to sleep.
Between the cabin noise, cramped seats, temperature changes, and constant activity, getting some rest in the air can be a challenge.
Even if you don’t sleep through the entire flight, a little preparation can make the experience more comfortable.
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Pack Your Own Comfort Essentials
Start by putting together a small flight comfort kit. Consider bringing:
- A supportive neck pillow: Choose one that keeps your neck comfortable while seated.
- Noise-canceling headphones or earplugs: These may help reduce surrounding noise.
- An eye mask: Blocking out light can make it easier to relax.
- Layers of clothing: Airplane cabins can feel cold, so bring a sweater, wrap, or other layer you can add or remove.
- A travel blanket, if needed: Check what your airline provides and decide whether to bring an extra layer.
The goal isn’t to bring your entire bedroom on the plane. It’s to pack a few essentials that help you feel more comfortable.
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Pay Attention to Your Posture and Seat
Let’s face it: airplane seats aren’t always spacious, particularly in economy class.
Still, try to avoid sitting in an uncomfortable position for the entire flight. Adjust your posture when you can, support your neck, and find a comfortable position for your feet.
If you’re choosing a seat in advance, consider your personal needs. You may prefer an aisle seat for easier access to the restroom and more opportunities to get up, while someone else may prefer a window seat to rest against the cabin wall.
No single seat is perfect for everyone. Think about what will help you manage the flight.
Move Around and Look After Your Body
Rest is important, but staying in one position for too long can increase the risk of blood clots during long-distance travel.
When it is safe to do so, get up periodically, walk along the aisle, and stretch. You can also ask your healthcare professional whether compression stockings or other preventive measures are appropriate, especially if you have additional risk factors.
Drink water regularly, and watch caffeine if it interferes with your sleep. Follow your usual health guidance and any airline safety instructions.
Remember, the goal is to arrive at your destination feeling as comfortable and refreshed as possible.
Your long-flight reminder: A little preparation can go a long way. Pack for comfort, choose your seat wisely, and give your body chances to move and rest.
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Home at Last! How to Unpack After a Trip Without Feeling Overwhelmed
You’ve enjoyed your vacation, made wonderful memories, and finally arrived home. Now comes the part that doesn’t always make it into our travel photos: unpacking!
How long does it take you to unpack after a trip? Do you get everything done immediately, or does your suitcase sit in the bedroom while you ease back into everyday life?
I’m more of a “let’s get it done” person. But no matter your style, a simple system can make unpacking less overwhelming.
Start with the Immediate Priorities
You don’t necessarily have to unpack everything at once, but some things shouldn’t wait.
First, deal with wet items. Remove swimsuits, damp towels, and water shoes from your luggage so they can dry properly. Leaving wet items packed away can encourage mildew and unpleasant odors.
Next, tackle the laundry. Put dirty clothes in a hamper or laundry basket. If you have the energy, start your first load.
Then, remove trash and leftover food. Check your suitcase, backpack, and other travel bags. You don’t want to discover forgotten snacks days later when an unpleasant smell has developed.
Finally, put away essential travel gear. Return chargers, toiletries, shoes, and other frequently used items to their designated places so they’re ready for your next adventure.
Create Unpacking Zones
Instead of moving randomly from one item to another, organize your belongings by where they belong.
You might create separate piles for bedroom items, bathroom toiletries, closet items, and things that belong elsewhere in the house.
This approach gives you a clearer idea of what needs to be done and makes it easier to put things away systematically.
One personal rule of mine: I don’t put my suitcase on my bed. Who knows where that luggage has been during the trip? I prefer to keep it off the bed while unpacking.
Set a Timer and Work in Short Intervals
You don’t have to turn unpacking into an all-day project.
Try setting a timer for 30 minutes. Focus on one category or area, then take a break if you need one. You can return to the task later rather than exhausting yourself trying to finish everything at once.
Once you’ve unpacked, store your suitcase in its designated place. Getting the luggage out of the way helps your home feel more settled again.
And remember, you can adjust the system to fit your energy level. The point is to make unpacking manageable, not to create another reason to feel stressed.
Your unpacking reminder: You don’t have to unpack everything the minute you walk through the door. Take care of the essentials first, create a simple system, and work at a pace that feels reasonable.
Conclusion: Travel is Ageless!
Travel should bring joy, discovery, and opportunities to experience something new. We shouldn’t have to spend the entire journey feeling uncomfortable, worrying about what other people think, or stressing over what awaits us when we get home.
Whether you’re enjoying dinner by yourself in a new city, preparing for a long flight, or unpacking after a wonderful vacation, a few practical habits can help you make the most of the experience.
And remember, women over 50 are still on the move! We can explore new destinations, try new foods, enjoy our own company, and create travel experiences that work for us.
At Sustah-Girl Chronicles, we believe travel is ageless, wellness is a priority, and our lifestyles are always evolving.
Let’s keep the conversation going!
I’d love to hear from you.
- Solo dining: Do you enjoy eating alone when you travel, or are you still learning to embrace it?
- Long flights: What’s one item you always pack to make a flight more comfortable?
- Unpacking: Are you an unpack-everything-immediately traveler, or do you let your suitcase sit for a while?
Share your favorite tips in the comments. Your advice might help another woman feel more confident on her next adventure!
Until next time, keep exploring, keep taking care of yourself, and remember: travel is ageless!
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