Solo traveling has become one of the most liberating things I’ve ever experienced. At first, I was absolutely terrified to go out into the world. I wasn’t scared because I would be going alone. I wasn’t scared because I am a woman. I was scared because I wasn’t sure how people in different parts of the world would receive me as a Black woman. I didn’t always intend to travel solo, but then I realized that it was a matter of going alone or not going at all.

Imagine you want to use your vacation time and go on a group trip with your friends. You gather them, get a head count, and discuss destinations. Caribbean vacay, anyone? The trip is months away but everyone is so excited and counting down the days! And then, when the trip is just weeks away, everyone starts to cancel. You still want to go but no one else is willing or able to. So you cancel, too.