There comes a point in many women’s lives when the calendar fills faster than the soul.
Meetings, commitments, responsibilities, family logistics, deadlines, launches, caretaking—life becomes productive, full, and successful, yet quietly demanding. And somewhere in that fullness, rest and renewal are often postponed. Travel becomes something we “hope to do one day,” instead of something we intentionally build into our lives.
But here’s the truth: investing in yourself through experiences—especially travel—should not be reserved for milestones, burnouts, or special occasions. It should be a regular practice, woven into the rhythm of a well-lived year.
Not as an escape. Not as an indulgence. But rather, as a celebration, perspective, and renewal.
Why Women Travel Differently—and Why It Matters
Research consistently shows that women approach travel with deeper intention than simply “getting away.” Studies from organizations such as Condé Nast Traveler and the George Washington University School of Business, alongside Canadian insights from Destination Canada, reveal that women are more likely to travel for personal growth, reflection, wellness, and meaningful connection — not just leisure. Women consistently prioritize how an experience makes them feel, using travel as a way to gain clarity, reset perspective, and reconnect beyond the demands of daily roles.
Women travelers report increased confidence and clarity after time away, improved emotional well-being and creativity, stronger relationships, and greater satisfaction in both work and life. Supporting this, North American travel wellbeing research shows that women who travel regularly experience higher happiness levels and a stronger sense of personal and professional fulfillment.
For women, travel isn’t about collecting destinations — it’s about returning home changed in subtle, meaningful ways.
The Power of Having Something to Look Forward To
One of the most overlooked benefits of planning a trip isn’t the trip itself—it’s the anticipation.
Psychologists have long studied the impact of anticipation on happiness. Research shows that planning future experiences creates as much—or more—joy than the experience itself. Having something on the calendar to look forward to shifts how we move through our days. It creates momentum. It lightens the mental load.
When you know a beautiful experience awaits you—whether it’s a long weekend, a retreat, or a thoughtfully curated trip—you begin to move through daily life differently. You work with more focus. You rest with more permission. You make decisions with a longer view.
That sense of “something special ahead” becomes an anchor during busy seasons.
Travel as a Reward, Not a Rare Exception
“Growing up, I was raised with the idea that travel was something you earned only after saving all year — or once everything else was taken care of. But the most grounded, fulfilled women I’ve met don’t treat travel as a reward. They treat it as a non-negotiable part of their year — and so do I.
I began traveling in my early twenties to places I had only dreamed about, creating memories that still shape how I move through the world today. Travel became something I worked toward, looked forward to, and fully experienced as it unfolded.
It’s not an escape — it’s a celebration, a pause, and a powerful investment in how I choose to live” Amy Nicole Cohen
An annual trip—whether solo, with friends, or within a curated group—becomes a way to mark time. To celebrate effort. To honor growth. To pause and reflect on what the year has required of you.
It’s not about luxury for luxury’s sake. It’s about acknowledgement.
You showed up this year.
You carried responsibility.
You navigated challenges.
You grew.
And that deserves recognition.
Experiences Shape Us in Ways Possessions Never Can
There is a growing body of research showing that people derive longer-lasting happiness from experiences than from material purchases. Experiences become part of our identity. They live on in memory, perspective, and story.
When women invest in experiences—especially shared ones—they gain:
- Perspective from stepping outside familiar environments
- Confidence from navigating new places and conversations
- Depth from meaningful connection
- Space to think beyond the immediate demands of life
Experiences also offer something increasingly rare: presence. Travel naturally pulls us out of autopilot. It invites us to notice, to feel, to slow down just enough to hear ourselves again.
Why Annual Travel Is a Leadership Practice
For women in leadership—whether in business, family, or community—time away is not a luxury. It’s a recalibration.
Leaders who regularly take intentional breaks are better equipped to lead with calm, vision, and confidence. Travel creates space between stimulus and response—something every leader needs.
And when women lead well, everyone benefits.
Travel Doesn’t Have to Be Grand to Be Meaningful
An important distinction: investing in travel doesn’t mean extravagant or excessive — it means intentional. Every Chic Retreat is designed with this in mind, thoughtfully curating each element of the experience:
- A beautifully chosen destination
- A considered flow to each day
- The right people in the room
- And just the right amount of adventure
Because meaningful travel isn’t about doing more — it’s about experiencing what matters most.
A Quiet Invitation to Choose Yourself
Investing in yourself through experiences is not about running away from responsibility. It’s about meeting it with a fuller cup.
It’s about saying:
“My life deserves beauty.”
“My effort deserves acknowledgment.”
“My growth deserves space.”
When you make travel part of your annual rhythm, you’re not just planning a trip—you’re honoring the woman you are becoming.
And that is one of the most powerful investments you can make.