This was my first trip since my husband passed.

And as I’ve come to realize…

It’s not the big things you miss, it’s all the little things...

The ones you never thought twice about until they weren’t there. 

Taking our dog to the pet resort, then coming home to a house that suddenly felt echoingly empty.

Locking the door behind me to leave for the airport, something I’d never done before because he was always there.

Getting to the airport and going through customs…

No one to send that little "I'm through to the gate and the flight’s on time" text. 

No one waiting on the other end of the journey either.

So I texted my girlfriend instead, my new emergency contact now, and let’s just say, that felt different. 

💔Even crossing out his name as my emergency contact in my passport was another one of those small, painful milestones.

And yet, in all of this unfamiliar territory, I chose a familiar place to travel to first.

A place I love. A place that has always made me feel calm, safe, and warmly welcomed…

Hilton Head Island

I’ve written not one, but two destination guides on Hilton Head because I truly believe it’s the perfect spot for women traveling solo…

📌 My Hilton Head Destination Guide – Part 1

📌 My Hilton Head Destination Guide – Part 2

Especially those of us navigating life transitions, rediscovering ourselves, and just needing a gentle space to land.

The People Make The Place

What makes Hilton Head so ideal? 

Let’s start with the people. 

Southern hospitality is real here. 

One of my favourite solo travel games, especially when cycling, is to smile at everyone I pass and see how many smile back. 

In Hilton Head? Game over.

Everyone smiles back 😀😃😁😊. It’s just who they are.

And yes, there are lots and lots of cycling trails, paved, flat, well-marked, and winding under a canopy of old oaks draped in Spanish Moss. 

The light twinkles through trees in a way that softens your heart and your pace. 

And BTW, you can ride your bike right up to the beach, park it, and wander along the shore, soaking it all in.

Sea Air And Stillness...

The ocean has always been my THANG!

It calms me, lifts me, settles me, revives me…

Pick a word. 

I don’t even need to see it, just a whiff of sea air and I can feel my nervous system downshift like it’s settling into a warm bath. 

And that’s exactly the kind of balm I needed.

But FYI, while the Atlantic waters here are darker than what we see on the Pacific coast, there’s a reason.

The richness in plankton makes the colour a bit murky with all those nutrients for the fish and especially the oysters but that doesn’t take away from the magic. 

The beach itself is long, wide, and perfect for sunrise and sunset walks, quiet reflection, or simply just being.

Timing Is Everything

If you’re considering a solo trip to Hilton Head, April and May are absolutely beautiful. 

It’s that sweet spot after the big golf tournaments (hello Augusta and Heritage!) and before school holidays kick in. 

Think 25°C (or 80°F), calm, still mornings, and warm, golden afternoons.

Discovering Daufuskie Island

One of the things I love most about returning to Hilton Head is the blend of the familiar with the new. 

This time, I finally made it over to Daufuskie Island, a nearby escape that doesn’t allow motorized vehicles, only golf carts. 

Depending on your boat, it takes 30 minutes to an hour to get there, and the trip across the water alone is worth every second.

I spent the day getting to know this special place, soaking up its quiet charm, learning its deep rich stories about the Gallah people.

Normally, I’d return from a day like that and head back to our room to tell my husband everything—“Did you know this?” and “Guess what I saw?”...

But there was no one to tell this time.

And that’s when the bittersweet part of solo travel shows up. 

The contrast. The ache. The pride. The courage. The growth.

A Milestone, A Memory, A Message

This trip was a milestone. 

Not because I went far or did anything wildly adventurous, but because I went at all.

Hilton Head held me in the gentlest way. 

It reminded me that I can still travel, still enjoy, still create new memories even when everything feels different. 

It’s a place that’s always made me feel welcome, and this time, it helped me feel whole.

If you’re a woman navigating loss, change, or simply wondering if solo travel is something you can really do… I hope this gives you a little nudge.

The first step is the hardest, but the rewards, connection, confidence and clarity are so worth it.

And if Hilton Head is calling your name, I’ve got you covered:

📌 My Hilton Head Destination Guide – Part 1

📌 My Hilton Head Destination Guide – Part 2

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So cheers to wheels up to winging your way on your next travel building lasting memories.