Start 2026 on Your Own Terms: Why This Should Be Your Year of Solo Travel
I wanted to check in because, let’s be real—we’re three weeks into 2026, and the "New Year, New Me" energy usually starts to flicker right about now.
If you’re anything like me, you probably walked into January 1st with a vision board full of big energy. You were going to hit the gym, drink the gallon of water, master your inbox, and finally become that "optimized" version of yourself.
But it’s mid January. Real life has a way of crashing the party, doesn't it?
Maybe the gym sneakers are gathering dust. Maybe those ambitious goals feel a little heavier than they did three weeks ago. And maybe—just maybe—that tiny, nagging voice in your head is whispering: "You already missed the mark. Let’s just coast and try again in 2027."
If that’s where you are, I want you to hear me clearly: I see you. I’ve been her. And I’m here to tell you that voice is lying to you.
You don't need a "perfect" Monday or a fresh calendar page to start over. You don't need permission from a date on the wall to decide that your life belongs to you.
You just need right now. This moment. The decision to finally, unapologetically, choose yourself.
What Do You Actually Want? (The Honest Version)
When you think about the rest of 2026—not the "Pinterest-perfect" version you show the world, but the honest-to-God truth—what do you want this year to feel like?
Not what you’re "supposed" to want. Not what makes your partner proud or keeps your mom happy.
What does the real you—the woman who dreams in the quiet moments when the house is finally still—actually crave?
I think she’s been waiting a long time to be heard.
The Truth About Living on Your Own Terms
After years of watching women transform through the lens of luxury travel—and after my own soul-shifting leap with that first solo trip to Hawaii (10 days, no kids, no husband, just me and the Pacific)—I’ve realized something:
The women who have the most expansive lives aren't the ones who work the hardest. They’re the ones who decided to do things THEIR way.
They stopped waiting for:
The "perfect" time (spoiler: she’s a myth)
A “travel bestie” who probably won't book the flight anyway
Permission to spend money on their own growth
Another January 1st
The moment you stop asking for permission is the moment your life actually begins.
Why This Matters Right Now
The champagne has gone flat. The holiday sparkle has worn off. We are officially in the "messy middle" of January.
This is actually the best time to start fresh. Why? Because the performative pressure is gone. It’s just you and your desires.
For years, I checked every single box:
✓ The prestigious career
✓ The "perfect" family dynamic
✓ The "Superwoman" cape I wore while taking care of everyone but Shanell.
But that Hawaii trip? That was my awakening. I realized that living on your own terms isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity for survival. And solo travel is the fastest way to remember what your own terms even look like.
What Solo Travel Reclaims For You
Solo travel isn’t about escaping your life. It’s about running toward the woman you’ve been neglecting.
When you travel solo (or join a curated, small group of women on the same frequency), the shift is internal:
You remember your name. Between being "Mom," "Wife," and "Boss," it’s easy to forget who you are. Travel strips away the titles and leaves the woman.
You build an unshakable core. Navigating a new city or dining alone in a five-star restaurant in Paris builds a specific kind of confidence. It’s a quiet "I’ve got this" that follows you back into the boardroom and the bedroom.
You finally become the Main Character. For once, you are the one being poured into. The luxury, the scenery, the attention—it’s all for you.
You connect on a soul level. Ironically, traveling "alone" often leads to the most profound connections with locals and other high-vibe travelers because you’re finally present enough to see them.
Your 2026 Roadmap: How We Can Move Together
We still have 347 days left in 2026. That is plenty of time to turn "someday" into "departure gate."
If you’re ready to stop performing and start living, here is how my team and I can help you reclaim your time and your travel:
Signature Travel Design & Management: Stop "wishing" and start packing. Whether it’s your first solo escape or your tenth, we take your travel dreams and turn them into a fully managed, high-end reality. We handle the logistics; you handle the transformation.
Morocco Small Group Journey (June 2026): For the woman ready to expand her borders. Think rooftop mint tea in Marrakech and sunset camel rides in the Sahara. Adventure, meet Elegance.
Bali Transformational Journey (October 2026): Our deep-dive spiritual reset. Healing ceremonies, private villas, and the kind of peace that changes your DNA. This is where you go to find the "New You" for real.
Elevated Coaching: For the woman who knows she needs more than just a trip—she needs a life shift. My coaching programs are designed to help you deconstruct the "shoulds" and rebuild a life lived entirely on your own terms.
The Real Question
What would it feel like to spend the next 347 days living on YOUR terms?
No shrinking. No compromising. No waiting.
Just you, choosing your dreams—over and over again.
That’s the 2026 I want for you. And it starts with one decision: "I’m ready. Right now."
Let’s make this the year you finally choose YOU.
With love (and a little push),
Shanell Varner
Luxury & Wellness Travel Coach | Founder of Moonglade Travel
About Shanell
I’m a luxury travel designer, travel coach, and a firm believer that a woman's life should be lived on her own terms. After years of navigating the corporate world and the beautiful chaos of family life, I found my power on the solo road. Now, I curate high-vibe travel experiences and offer bespoke planning services to help women like you reclaim their identity and experience the world with soul, style, and zero apologies. Whether you’re joining one of my curated group trips or letting me design your dream getaway, I’m here to make sure you finally become the main character of your own story.