Stop Waiting, Start Traveling: Why Midlife Is the Perfect Time for Your Next Adventure

Have you ever caught yourself saying, "I'll travel when I find someone to go with" or "Maybe next year"? If so, this episode is for you. This week on Girlish Gurus, we're joined by Joy Owens, CEO of Butler Travel, mom of two, avid outdoor enthusiast, adventure racer, and seasoned traveler who has explored more than 60 countries. Joy specializes in creating unforgettable group travel experiences that help people discover new destinations—and often, new friendships along the way. Whether you've dreamed of taking an international vacation, joining a women's group trip, or organizing a getaway with friends, Joy shares practical advice to help you confidently turn those travel dreams into reality. Together, we discuss why travel in midlife looks different from what it did in our 20s and 30s, how group travel can remove many of the barriers that keep women from exploring the world, and why waiting for the "perfect time" often means missing incredible opportunities. In this episode, we discuss: ✈️ Why travel becomes more meaningful in midlife 🌍 The benefits of organized and group travel 🧳 How to successfully plan a group trip from start to finish 💬 Important conversations to have before traveling with others 📅 How far in advance you should begin planning ⚠️ Common mistakes travelers make—and how to avoid them 🤝 Tips for traveling with people you don't know well 💜 Why some of the best friendships begin while traveling 🌎 Joy's favorite travel memories and current bucket-list destination ✨ Encouragement for women who have been waiting for "someday" One of our favorite reminders from this conversation: Don't wait for permission. Don't wait for the perfect travel companion. Don't wait for someday. Book the trip. Create the memory. Live the adventure. Life isn't measured by the number of years we have—it's measured by the experiences that shape us along the way. If you've been waiting for a sign to finally take that dream trip, consider this your invitation 🎧 Subscribe to Girlish Gurus for inspiring conversations that help women embrace midlife, discover new possibilities, and create their most meaningful chapter yet. IG: @girlishgurus YouTube: Girlish Gurus https://girlishgurus.com/ RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Connect with Joy Owens & Butler Travel: http://www.butlertravel.com/ LIFE LINE SCREENING - GET PEACE OF MIND: https://discover.lifelinescreening.co... Girlish Gurus Glamorous Getaways: https://girlishgurus.com/retreats/ Renee Grabiner Goes to Antarctica: https://butlertravel.com/at-96-she-th.... https://www.einpresswire.com/article/... Everyday Macaroni episode:    • The Joy of Travel with Joy Owens   We'd Love to Hear From You! Have you ever taken a group trip that changed your life? Is there a destination that's been sitting on your bucket list for years? Share this episode with a friend you'd love to travel with, and let us know where you're dreaming of going next! Join the Girlish Gurus on our next Getaway! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to Girlish Gurus, leave us a review, and share it with another woman who's ready to stop waiting and start living her next great adventure. #MidlifeTravel #WomenWhoTravel #GroupTravel #TravelAfter45 #TravelOver50 #BucketListTravel #GirlsTrip #TravelTips #GirlishGurus #AdventureAwaits #SoloTravelWomen #TravelInspiration #MidlifeWomen #Women'sTravel #TravelPodcast 7-7-26 Timestamps 0:00 Intro 0:47 Dr. Joy Owens, CEO Butler Travel 4:30 How is traveling different from your 20s or 30s 8:35 The importance of traveling with your girlfriends 10:40 Why is group travel important 15:47 Communicating about travel in a group 17:17 Traveling as a single woman 20:13 What details do you need to think about when traveling with a group 24:28 Planning trips step by step 28:19 What are the popular destinations for women 31:39 Vacation pitfalls 35:00 Has a trip ever surprised you 41:56 What do you say to women about the cost of travel 45:23 You are never too old to travel 53:28 Adventure racing