A simple conversation at the salon turned into a powerful reminder about travel fears and self-trust. In this post I talk about a fear that my hairdresser has at the airport, a reminder that focusing on what is in your control can turn anxiety into confidence.
The other day, I was having my haircut and, as you do, struck up a conversation with my hairdresser—Lisa. Naturally, our chat turned to travel. We compared notes on Bali and Thailand, both places we’d visited, where we’d been , what we thought of them, our experiences. In telling her stories I noticed Lisa seemed to be a solo traveler, talking about the things she does, seemed to be alone. So I said, “I love traveling solo too.”
Lisa explained that while she enjoys the freedom of being alone once she arrives, she usually travels with her sister. They often go off and do their own separate things during the day, which still gives her that sense of independence.
Then she leaned in a little and confided something to me. She hesitated before saying, “I have a fear around airports and customs, so I travel with my sister”.
We talked a bit more about travelling, then.. she hesitated before saying, “I have this silly little irrational fear that someone might plant drugs on me when I’m going through customs.”
Without even thinking, I blurted out, “That’s not silly at all.”
And I meant it. That’s not irrational—it’s actually a real concern. Is it likely? A low probability But possible? Yes. And it’s always worth acknowledging those kinds of fears instead of brushing them off.
The fears that you have, you need to accept that that fear is real, to you, not silly, not irrational; it may be to some others but that doesn’t matter what others think. For you it is real. Accept that. Then you can decide what you can do about it to manage it, reduce it. Carry the fear with you as you take action and do it anyway.
Carry the fear with you as you take action and do it anyway.
The fear of someone planting drugs on you, or your luggage: I think the likelihood of that is low, buts is possible. You can do things to mitigate the risk, manage the fear, so you feel more confident. This is a real possibility. and there are things I do when i travel to reduce this risk.
The good news is, there are ways to manage that fear so it doesn’t control you. Whether you’re traveling alone or with others, the risk doesn’t really change. In fact, sometimes when you’re with people, you can get distracted, let your guard down, and assume someone else is paying attention—when in reality, they might just be a distraction.
When I’m alone in an airport, I’m hyper-aware. I make a conscious effort to secure my bags so no one can take anything out—and just as importantly, so no one can put anything in. My zips are always tucked away or clipped together, and I keep my bag close to me with some space around it.
If something as extreme as drugs being planted on you were to happen, it would be a nightmare whether you were alone or with someone else. So the focus needs to be on controlling what you can control. That’s how you keep the anxiety manageable.
You can’t control everything, you can’t control what other people do. but you can choose a bag that’s harder to access. You can decide to watch your belongings closely. You can notice who’s near you, what they’re doing, and how much space you’re giving yourself.
You can control your body language, stand tall, look confident, see people around you, look strong and like someone who is not to be reckoned with. A person who slouches, is sloppy, careless, looking at their phone all the time, not paying attention and looking vulnerable..is a greater target for scams and crimes.
Personally, I use backpacks with concealed zippers, I clip my zips together with little carabiners, and sometimes I even tie them off. At first I did it to prevent theft, but it also gives me peace of mind that nothing unwanted could be slipped inside.
Lisa travels with her sister, that reduces her anxieties. What do you do to reduce your fears?
Often when I’m doing something with someone else.. I ask my self.. what would i do if they weren’t here? And I start building my mindset and confidence to do it on my own next time.
That’s the thing with travel fears: do what’s in your power to reduce the risk, and then let go of the rest. Once you’ve done your part, your mind can relax.
By the end of our chat, Lisa was telling me about her next adventure—she and her sister are planning a trip to Japan. And I couldn’t help but smile, because despite the fear she shared with me, her love of travel was so much bigger than her worries. Lisa is managing her fears and getting out there anyways.
Talking with Lisa reminded me that we all have fears when it comes to travel — even seasoned travelers. But fear doesn’t have to stop you. When you focus on what you can control and prepare well, you build trust in yourself. And that’s where confidence grows.
Do what helps you feel safe, then go and enjoy the adventure.
Thanks for joining me today. I hope this chat gives you a little reassurance — and maybe a bit of encouragement — for your own travels.
You’ve got this. Go solo. Enjoy the journey.
Linda
Travel Tips Safety Checklist
- ✅be hyper-aware
- ✅use bags with zips that are concealed, tucked away or secured with a carabiner or tie
- ✅keep your bags close to you
- ✅keep space around you from other people
- ✅your body language – sit and stand tall and confident
- ✅act like a confident, aware person
Note: real names have been changed to protect privacy
Linda Marie Travel 