Winning the JourneyWoman Solo Travel Wisdom Award feels like a profound validation of a philosophy I’ve lived by for nearly 10 years: that the best journeys are the ones where we strip away the excess.
Being recognised by a global community of trailblazing women proves that true travel wisdom isn't about how much you carry, but how much you are willing to let go. This award isn't just for me; it’s a shared celebration of every woman who has ever dared to trust her own compass.
TL;DR: Winning the JourneyWoman Wisdom Award is a celebration of a nearly 10-year journey from a "circuit-breaker" solo trip with a 5 kilo bag to a life defined by peace, not chaos. In this post, I share why the most important thing you’ll ever pack is the wisdom to trust your own path, and how you can start your own solo and light adventure.
What the JourneyWoman Solo Travel Wisdom Award is about
"The JourneyWoman Solo Travel Wisdom Award is presented to an individual female traveller over 50 who generously shares her wisdom gained through travel and inspires other women to discover the transformative power of independent travel by sharing her stories and experiences.
This woman uses her voice to challenge status quo thinking and exemplifies the values of a JourneyWoman – kind, generous, grateful and courageous. She knows that solo travel is not a 'new trend' but rather an evolving movement... she is an 'everyday' woman who is following her heart and passion to make her dreams happen, and is willing to be a role model for other women over 50 by sharing her wisdom and experiences."- JourneyWoman.com
You can read the full awards here.
I was very touched by what one of the judges and a previous winner of this award, Adriane Berg, wrote of me,
“Her trope is how to travel as a minimalist alongside the deeper why of travel, and she’s really proved that you don’t have to make travel a heavy lift. The ultimate key to freedom and calm comes with the true independence of carrying both a light pack and a light emotional load.”
Beyond the Award: Validating the Path of the Solo Traveller
Solo travel isn’t just about the miles covered, but the wisdom and self-reliance gained along the way. I remember thinking that first trip back in 2017 was just a break I needed from the juggle of being a busy mum, nurse, business owner, and then-wife. Looking back, travelling with just my 5 kilo bag was actually a life-changing circuit-breaker.
In those early days, it was easy to let the world’s "shoulds" and "coulds" drown out my own dreams and how I wanted to show up. It has been quite the journey, but I feel I have stayed true to the core mission: keeping things light and not overburdening myself or others.
What started as a small, fun project remains something I am incredibly proud of. It’s still manageable, it’s still fun, and I have met the most incredible people through it all. During that season of personal change, the quiet realization that "there must be more to life" eventually grew into a clear, confident command. I listened. I made big changes. And today, I am living my own version of a big, beautiful life.
To now be described by JourneyWoman as a "role model for other women over 50" who "exemplifies the values of being kind, generous, grateful, and courageous" is the ultimate validation. It proves that the path I chose, the one that felt right in my soul, was indeed the road to my freedom.
Nearly a decade on from that first trip, I’m nursing on the Mercy Ship, bringing hope and healing. I’m hiking to the most incredible mountain views. I’m flourishing in the peace of a forest, a walk along my local river, a coffee with my besties, or catching up with my beautiful adult children and family.
Life is good!
Where it all started, Croatia, 2017
The Power of "Less": Why Wisdom is the Lightest Thing You Can Pack
Back at the very first solo trip, I remember arriving home and deciding that there was a lot of surplus stuff in the house. I tackled the kitchen with great flourish, only to have everything back in the drawers and cupboards by day end. At that point I realised, this is my journey. I can’t force it on others.
However, "carrying less" soon evolved into something far deeper than a packing list. Alongside the body saving lighter luggage concept, The 5 Kilo Traveller became a commitment to less drama and less chaos. By embracing a quieter travel routine and simpler daily rhythms, I found that the lighter my life became, the more room I had for joy.
Wisdom, it turns out, is the only thing that doesn't add weight to your pack.
A peaceful life in action! El Chalten, Argentina.
Inspiring the Next Journey: A Collective Win for All Women
The international community I have around me is incredible. Every comment, mention, message spurs me on and I am incredibly grateful to have you all here.
This award represents a community of women who choose courage over comfort. Through my blog and social media, I want to show that a life with less is within reach for all of us.
Whether you are taking your 1st or 20th solo step, I want to help you evaluate what you are carrying. Not just in your suitcase or backpack, but in your mind and heart. It’s about small steps and zero comparison. It’s about doing it your way.
Ready to start your own solo adventure?
If you're looking for the practical tools and the mindset shift needed to navigate the world on your terms, you can find the foundation of my travel philosophy in my memoir, Dare to Travel Solo: Eploring Croatia and Italy with a lightweight carry-on bag and a ton of determination. It’s more than a book; it’s an invitation to see the world, and yourself, differently.
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About the author:
Katherine Leamy is an award-winning solo travel advocate, author, and registered nurse based in Hamilton, New Zealand. In 2026, she was honoured with the JourneyWoman Solo Travel Wisdom Award, a global recognition of her decade-long dedication to empowering women through independent exploration.
As the founder of her own small publishing house, Katherine is on a mission to help others "carry less" in every sense of the word. Whether she is nursing on a Mercy Ship in Madagascar, trekking through the mountains of Patagonia, or sharing minimalist packing strategies on her blog, Katherine’s work is all about stripping away the excess, in our bags, our minds, and our hearts, making room for a bigger, more beautiful life.
She is the author of the acclaimed travel memoir, Dare to Travel Solo: Exploring Croatia and Italy with a lightweight carry-on bag and a ton of determination.
