What the heck is a “sojourn”?
Ok, so back when I was first starting the blog I knew I had to come up with a name. I was trying to think of other words for “travel” or “trip” and came up with “sojourn”. I figured it starts with an S and would go with my name, Sue.
Thus the birth of:
Fast forward a couple of years, I’m at a party, and my family starts chatting about my blog. Turns out five out of seven adults there had never even heard the word ‘sojourn.’ Cue my jaw hitting the floor!
For a terrifying second, I wondered if I should rebrand the whole thing! But then I realized the 2 who did know what “sojourn” meant are my target audience, women over 50.
So, instead of rebranding, I figured I should at least provide a definition right on the blog in case 3/4 of the general population have no idea what I'm talking about, so I looked it up officially!
Meaning of the Word Sojourn
The word “sojourn” comes from Middle English sojournen, which itself came from Old French sejorner meaning “to stay or dwell for a time.” It traces further back to the Latin subdiurnare, meaning “to spend the day.”
At its core, sojourn means:
- As a verb: to stay temporarily in a place.
Example: “She sojourned in Paris for a summer.” - As a noun: a temporary stay or visit.
Example: “His sojourn in Italy inspired his writing.”
Sojourn: Connotations and Travel Vibes
Unlike “trip” or “vacation,” sojourn often carries a slightly more reflective, literary, or old-fashioned feel. It suggests not just traveling through, but pausing long enough to experience a place, without putting down permanent roots. Writers often use it to imply a mix of travel, learning, and savoring the atmosphere of a location.
So when you see Sojourns With Sue, think of it as more than just trips. It’s about those meaningful pauses in places that leave a mark on you.
