Why Hawaii? // 186
“Sometimes God leads us to the most unexpected places to heal what’s been broken.”
Why Hawaii? What This Solo Trip Taught Me About Rest, Healing, and Adventure
Why do people choose Hawaii?
That question stayed with me during my recent solo trip to Maui.
I had never been to Hawaii before, and while I was there, I found myself asking other travelers the same thing:
Why here?
Why Hawaii instead of Europe, the Caribbean, or another tropical destination?
And the answers revealed something deeper than just beautiful beaches.
Hawaii Feels Different
If you’ve ever visited Hawaii, you probably understand this already.
Even though Hawaii is part of the United States, it feels worlds away from everyday life.
There’s a slower pace.
A gentler rhythm.
A feeling people often call “island time.”
And honestly?
That slower pace may be exactly why so many women are drawn there.
My First Time Staying in a Hostel
During this trip, I stayed in a hostel for the first time in Hawaii.
Now, I know many women over 50 may immediately think:
“A hostel? Absolutely not.”
But this experience surprised me in the best ways.
I met incredible people from all over the world—including young women from Germany, Spain, and South Africa who had chosen Hawaii because it felt adventurous, beautiful, and unlike the mainland U.S.
I also met a 75-year-old nomad who spends several months each year in Hawaii because of how restorative it feels emotionally and spiritually.
And listening to everyone’s reasons made me reflect more deeply on my own.
Why I Personally Chose Hawaii
For me, Hawaii was never just about checking a destination off a list.
It was about what I needed in this season of life.
I needed:
- nature
- stillness
- adventure
- beauty
- and a break from rushing through everyday life
If you’ve listened to this podcast for a while, you know how important nature is to me.
And Hawaii offers some of the most breathtaking contrasts imaginable:
- waterfalls
- rainforests
- volcanic landscapes
- beaches
- hiking trails
- ocean views
- and national parks all within the same islands
Hawaii Creates Space to Slow Down
One thing I noticed almost immediately was this:
People in Hawaii don’t seem rushed.
And after living in fast-paced city environments for so long…
that felt healing.
Sometimes we don’t realize how exhausted we are until we finally slow down enough to feel it.
Why Hawaii Feels Emotionally Restorative
Many travelers describe Hawaii as emotionally healing.
And I understand why.
There’s something about:
- the ocean
- the tropical air
- the sunsets
- the rhythm of the waves
- and the connection to nature
that invites reflection.
For women walking through burnout, grief, transition, or simply exhaustion…
Hawaii can become more than a vacation.
It can become a reset.
The Importance of Asking “Why?”
One of the biggest themes in this episode is something Cheryl often encourages women to do before planning any trip:
Ask yourself why you want to go there.
Not because it’s trendy.
Not because everyone else is going.
But because the destination aligns with what your heart, soul, and season of life actually need.
That question changes how you travel.
Travel Becomes More Meaningful When It Reflects You
For some women, Hawaii may be about adventure.
For others, it may be about healing.
Or reconnecting with God.
Or processing grief.
Or simply remembering how to rest again.
The destination matters less than the intention behind it.
Travel Isn’t Just About Going Somewhere
At its best, travel helps you reconnect with yourself.
And maybe that’s why Hawaii speaks so deeply to so many women.
Because sometimes what we need most…
isn’t another busy itinerary.
It’s space.
Space to breathe.
Space to reflect.
Space to hear ourselves—and God—more clearly again.
Gentle Reflection
If you could choose a destination based not on popularity…
but on what your soul needs most right now…
Where would you go?
And why?
If you’re trying to choose a meaningful destination for your next season of life, Cheryl supports women through 1:1 travel coaching designed around intentional, restorative travel.
Learn more here:
https://cherylbeckesch.com
