I’ve landed in Morocco.

I’ve been here a week — and something in me has already loosened.
I’m already into the vibe here, and I’ve got the biggest smile on my face.
Changing countries, routines, and responsibilities always shifts something for me — it opens my mind, softens me, and resets my nervous system. It’s one of the many reasons I keep returning to solo travel.

This time, there was no perfect itinerary. No polished plan.
Just me, on autopilot, saying yes and trusting in me.

Why Morocco? Well… an old friend texted me out of the blue asking if I wanted to meet up in Marrakech. It’s been on my list forever, so I said yes — with no real planning.

I booked an open ticket and flew in with a strong sense that I’d figure things out as I went. And I have, it’s all flowing — I just booked my onward travel today.

It’s uncomfortable to sit in that space of not knowing. But it’s also incredibly confidence-building. It nurtures that heart-held belief I’ve always carried: things will work out. All the best plans come from presence — and right now, I’m sitting in a place of deep trust in both myself and in this beautiful world we live in.

If you’ve seen my posts, you’ll know about the little boy who gifted me a butterfly bracelet as I sat eating lunch by the river up in Ourika Valley. Out of nowhere. For me, that was a sign. A reminder that I’m exactly where I should be in my midlife journey.

What I Packed (and What I Didn’t)

Honestly, I wasn’t even fully prepared until the day before. Maybe I’ve gotten a little loose with things — older, more travelled — but I had to remind myself not to get complacent.

My solo travel toolkit this time looked like this:

• My journal — always. I may not write every day, but it’s there to hold my thoughts, emotions, and anything I’m processing.
• My laptop — for writing, working, grounding. It’s the real reason I came here, to carve space to create.
• My yoga mat — or… so I thought. (More on that below.)
• A couple of each item of clothing — Noah’s Ark packing, I call it.
• All my electrics, documents, and passport copies — backed up to email.
• My medications and travel insurance — non-negotiable for peace of mind.

But no matter how many times I travel, I always forget something.
This time? My yoga mat.

A big “oops” — because yoga is part of my daily rhythm. But with short-haul European flights, checked baggage can cost €40 or more — and I just didn’t pack it.

Turns out… I really need it.

It sounds dramatic, but yoga helps me let go. Without it, my body stiffens and my mind starts overthinking. When I get on my mat, I move energy. I release what I don’t need. I breathe, and I come back to myself.

So now I’m off to rent one and try a class tomorrow — and that’s the beauty of solo travel: you adapt, and wherever you find yourself will meet you halfway.

Accommodation? Well, I had pre-booked the room in Marrakech, but for Essaouira I literally confirmed the morning before I got on the bus here.

Getting around is so much easier now too. We have Google Maps — magical!
Back in the '90s, I backpacked with The Lonely Planet Bible in hand. We’d grab a rickshaw or tuk-tuk and race around town to physically check accommodations before committing. Different times! And we would just use the vague maps to find any mentioned restaurants! It was really much more of a potluck scenario back then.

These days, for first-time travellers, there’s so much information available. Cross-reference reviews across platforms. Do your research — it’ll build your confidence.

Finding Flow, One Step at a Time

After five hot, amazing days in Marrakech, I’ve travelled to Essaouira — a beautiful little historical town on the coast. It’s a whole 10-plus degrees cooler. In fact, I would even go so far as to say it’s a perfect temperature here at the moment. I’m here for a week, and every day I venture out and discover something new.

I’ve already found my morning ritual — a little coffee shop where I plan for my work and breathe. Today a cute little cat curled up beside me in the sun. We sat there together, both soaking up the sunlight and the stillness of the morning. It reminded me: you’re never truly alone when you travel.

Even when you feel it, connection is always possible.
You can talk to locals, stay in touch with friends and family on WhatsApp, or just find a spot to watch local life.

To be honest, I tend to keep to myself. I chat with shopkeepers and smile at familiar faces. I’m even remembering a little of my school French! My Arabic is very limited, but I get by. Top tip if you’re heading to Morocco: brush up on your French. It’ll help.

I feel safe here. Settled. For now.
Not because everything is perfect — but because I’ve created a space where I can show up fully, even in the unknown. I allow myself to be. To trust. To move with intuition rather than fear.

Connection That Surprised Me

This week has also been full of unexpected joy.

In Marrakech, I stayed in a riad where the staff made me feel like family. The sisters were full of smiles, and Yunis — a walking encyclopedia of Moroccan history — gave me endless insights and stories.

I met up with an old friend from Australia, sipped tea with a new one, visited a jazz bar, climbed a waterfall, and dangled my feet in the river while we ate lunch.

I’ve laughed a lot this week. I’ve felt deeply connected — to my tribe, to new people, to myself.

One of the most memorable moments? Meeting a new friend, Gwen of Chica Travel, who I connected with through my travel group, Solo Sister Travel. We called it our “Solo Sister Tinder Date” — and it was a lot of fun. We just clicked the first time we connected to chat about Spain and her tours.

These are the moments that stay with me.
They remind me that solo doesn’t mean alone.
It means open. Curious. Present.

What I’ve Learned from Traveling Without a Plan

• You can be unprepared and still be okay — as long as you’ve got your grounding tools.
• Trusting yourself is a muscle — and it grows with every uncertain step.
• Planning less can open up more presence — and that’s where the magic happens.
• Even when you feel alone, you’re not — connection is always available.
• Adaptability is more powerful than perfection.

This Is Transformation in Real Time

Right now, I still don’t know exactly where I’m going next.
But I do know this journey will come full circle — I’ll end up back here in Essaouira to celebrate one of my dearest friend’s 50th with her family.

There’s something poetic about that.

This isn’t just a break.
It’s a deep, intentional movement toward trust.
Not just in travel — but in my business, my future, and my ability to navigate change.

So I’ll keep walking the cobbled streets.
Trying new food. Practising French and Arabic.
Writing in my journal when the feeling hits.
And breathing through the unknown.

Because you don’t need to know the whole path.
You just need to trust your next step.
To trust yourself.

Butterfly Prompt

Whether you’ve travelled solo or you’re still dreaming about it:
What would be in your travel toolkit — practically, emotionally, or spiritually?
What helps you feel grounded when things are uncertain, or when you’re stepping into something new?

✨ Want to start your own solo travel journey?

*Join my private Facebook group Solo Sister Travel — a supportive space for women ready to explore the world.
*Sign up for my newsletter Letters from a Midlife Butterfly [insert your Kajabi/opt-in link here].
And if you’re looking for inspiration, check out Gwen’s adventures at @chicatravel_ on Instagram — we met right here in Morocco for the first time!