Blending Group Energy, Shared Spaces & Solo Life — Could This Be the Real Midlife Reset?
Navigating group travel, solo time, and everything in between — plus, explore smart pieces on burnout, building freedom through expertise, and new visa rules that could shape your next chapter abroad.
I’ve had wildly different travel setups over the past couple of months, and it’s got me thinking about the difference between solo travel and grouped-up but still on your own.
In Estonia, I was part of a nomad group — lots of shared chats and planned events — but I was housesitting across town, doing my own thing most days. Then I moved into a studio in a coliving space, surrounded by people but somehow not meeting anyone. (Which was just fine… I needed some alone time to recharge my batteries by then, and prep for what came next.)
After that came a more structured group stay in a big house in Italy. We cooked, explored, hit wineries, and shared a lot of meals and stories. It was great, even while occasionally overwhelming, in that “I love you all but I need to hide in my room for a bit” kind of way.
And there are great parts of each experience. But here’s what I’ve noticed:
I need time on my own to feel like myself. I can only be “on” for so long before I start craving a slow, quiet morning and a walk with no small talk.
That said, I’m also someone who genuinely enjoys a shared moment. Splitting a weird roadside pastry with a fellow traveler, toasting a view that stops you both in your tracks… there’s magic in that, even when you barely know each other’s names.
The challenge is the pacing. When you’re on someone else’s itinerary, it’s harder to follow your gut. To say, I just want to stay here a little longer, or I think I’m going to skip the cathedral and wander this side street instead.
In some places, like island-hopping the Galápagos or a tightly planned road trip, doing your own thing just isn’t an option.
Recommended:
You’ll miss the boat, literally.
I think that’s part of why I really like coliving and coworking setups. The people around you are usually working, too. They’re juggling projects, taking calls, managing their days. They get that not every moment is vacation.
That matters more to me now. A lot of us in midlife are still working (even if it’s not a 9-to-5) and we’re also managing travel schedules, switching SIM cards, learning new languages, sorting out where to buy groceries. It’s just a different pace.
The older I get, the more I appreciate slow travel. I don’t have the energy or interest to power through a place in five days and check off every landmark. I’d rather stay for a month, try a few different restaurants, figure out public transit, maybe take a tour or two, and not feel completely wrecked by the end of it.
There’s a place for each of these travel styles. But lately, I feel like I need less of tour groups or vacation-mode travel. I don’t want to be herded around or squeeze in every sight just because I’m there.
Sometimes I actually need a break from one travel style with another. After a stretch of solo time, I might crave shared meals and conversation. After a busy group trip, I want my own space and schedule again.
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Maybe that’s what I’ve learned over these last couple of months… you don’t have to pick a lane and stick to it.
I hear from a lot of people who are planning their next chapter — whether that means transitioning out of full-time work, going remote, moving abroad, etc. — and they feel this pressure to figure it all out ahead of time. Like there’s one right plan, and once they start down that road, they’d better commit to it.
But it really doesn’t work that way. You might start out thinking you want total freedom and end up craving a little structure. Or think you’re ready to slow down and suddenly feel restless again. It changes.
Sometimes you’ll need to switch gears, take the scenic route, or even grab the next exit. Stay open. That’s the whole point.
What about you? I’m always curious how others are navigating this part, especially in midlife when the way we travel (and what we want from it) can shift so much.
Now, here’s what I’ve been reading and writing lately… some personal insights, practical guides, and pieces that reminded me why this path we’re on is worth it.
Recommended Reads
💰 Survey suggests there’s a “Magic Number” people feel they need in their bank account to travel the world…
And it’s $287,731, apparently.
A new report from Talker Research says Americans believe they need nearly $300K in the bank to drop everything and see the world. Kinda wild, right?
I’ve met a few people with way more, but far more people with a lot less.
Don’t let numbers like this intimidate you out of taking the next step toward location independence. There’s no one-size-fits-all bank balance for making it work.
Preventing Burnout is Way Better than Trying to Recover From It (Ask Me How I Know)
Freelancing can look like freedom from the outside, unless burnout sneaks in. In this column, Sara shares honest, actionable ways she’s rebuilding boundaries, routines, and rest into her workdays. It’s a must-read if you’re starting to feel stretched thin or trying to make your self-employment plans sustainable.
If You Want to Live the Way You Want, Leverage What You Know
Listen, we’re not winding down… we’re just getting smarter about how we work and why. If you’re questioning the old retirement script or wondering what comes next in your 50s and 60s, you’ll enjoy this piece from Brian Clark at Further: Live Long and Prosper.
🇲🇽 Mexico Proposes Doubling Residency Visa Fees — by The Conscientious Emigrant
After spending a few months in Mexico last winter (and hoping to again), I’m watching this closely. This isn’t just a policy update, but part of a broader cultural and economic shift.
Elizabeth Silleck La Rue breaks down what the proposed fee hikes mean, why they’re happening, and how digital nomads and emigrants need to rethink what it means to be respectful, contributing guests in Mexico. A must-read if you’re considering a more permanent move.
Also… this happened. Ugh.
It pains me to even share his ugly mug, but this is need-to-know info that will surely impact some remote workers and has caused yet more unnecessary turmoil and anxiety.
But no worries… countries like New Zealand are happy to take those skilled workers and make them feel at home. The Kiwis are offering new residency pathways starting in 2026, for skilled professionals as well as tradespeople and technicians.
If you’ve dreamed of spending real time exploring New Zealand, learn more about upcoming options here from the Times of India.
And ICYMI last week:
Beautiful Chaos in Tuscany: Goat Paths, Lost Luggage & DJ Meatball
A travel update from Palazzuolo sul Senio, with pomodoro sauce, goat trails, and a co-pilot named DJ Meatball. Here’s what happens when a digital nomad lands in rural Tuscany.
That’s it for now.
If this stage of life and work is teaching me anything, it’s that there’s no “right” way to do it… there’s only what works for you, for now. And that might shift next season or next week, so roll with it.
I’ll keep sharing what I’m learning as I go. I hope it helps you feel a little more steady, or at least a little more seen, as you figure out your next steps, too.
✌🏻 Miranda
Thanks for sharing my post! Travel, emigration, and life in general is so completely "customized." What works for some absolutely will not work for others. Also, we need to recognize that we CHANGE as time goes on. Coliving would have been an absolute dream for me in my 20s - now, it sounds like a nightmare. And maybe when I'm in my 60s, I'll want to try it!
Great observations that life is really about paying attention, adapting, and flowing as much as possible.