Reader,

Recently, I walked into an “Intro to Improv” class without knowing anyone in the room and with zero acting experience.

Surprisingly, I wasn’t afraid.

Travel has given me a confidence that extends far beyond airports, passports, and unfamiliar destinations. Every time I’ve navigated a new country, explored a city alone, or found my way through an unfamiliar situation, I’ve proven to myself that I can adapt.

That confidence followed me into the improv room.

Improv doesn’t give you time to overthink. There’s no script, no opportunity to plan the perfect response, and no promise that you’ll get everything right. You simply show up, say yes, trust yourself, and see what happens.

In many ways, that’s exactly what travel has taught me to do.

Travel has shown me that I don’t need to know every detail before taking the next step. I can enter unfamiliar spaces, connect with new people, think on my feet, and figure things out as I go.

The woman who walked into that improv class was confident because she had already walked into airports, countries, cultures, and experiences that were once unfamiliar to her.

That is one of the greatest gifts travel has given me: confidence that transcends into every area of my life.

Sometimes, the courage you develop in one part of your life becomes the confidence you carry everywhere else.

It’s the same kind of courage I had to build when I packed up my entire life and moved more than 7,500 miles away from everyone and everything I knew to Dubai. I didn’t make that move because I had no fear or every detail figured out. I made it because I trusted myself enough to take the next step and then the next one after that.

That experience taught me that trusting yourself sounds like: “I’m afraid, but I’m going anyway.”

Is fear holding you back from traveling?

Truth be told, I didn’t begin my travel journey by going alone. My first international trips were with a travel company, my former employer, to several Caribbean islands and Mexico. Then years later, I traveled with my church to Italy, followed by trips with a travel buddy.

I baby-stepped my way into solo travel before finally taking off my travel training wheels and venturing out on my own. Now, I travel solo quite often.

My self-assurance didn’t appear overnight. It grew one trip at a time.

That’s why the solution isn’t to wait until you feel confident; it’s to prepare until you feel capable. You don’t have to figure everything out alone. With the right guidance, international travel can feel less intimidating and much more doable.

If Ghana has been calling you, this could be your first step. I’ve already planned the details for an unforgettable group journey to Ghana in 2027. You’ll have the comfort of traveling with others while building the confidence and experience you need for wherever you decide to go next.

All you have to do is say yes.

✈️ Travel Tip of the Week

I recently saw this funny post explaining how each generation pays for travel. According to the post, millennials open four credit cards in 90 days for the welcome bonuses, while Gen Z puts the entire trip on Klarna and boards the plane with payments remaining. 😂

I'm a millennial, but I’m not opening four cards in 90 days. My strategy is much more intentional: I may open about two cards per year when the welcome offer supports a specific travel goal, and only when I can meet the spending requirement without buying things I don’t need or carrying a balance.

Welcome offers can help cover flights and accommodations, but the strategy only works when you:

• Pay your statement balance in full.
• Avoid unnecessary spending to earn a bonus.
• Track annual fees and application dates.
• Protect your credit score.
• Choose cards that support an actual travel goal.

And if you consider yourself more Gen Z when it comes to paying for travel, I have options for you too! You can pay the $500 deposit for The Essence of Ghana Tour with Afterpay, Affirm, or Klarna, with available plans shown at checkout. Approval, interest, and payment terms vary, so review the complete cost before choosing one.

I’ve “Affirmed” a few things myself this year, and everything worked out just fine because the payments fit within my budget. Whether you use travel savings, credit-card rewards, a payment plan, or a combination of all three, choose the method that allows you to travel without creating a financial burden.

Use every responsible means available to create memories of a lifetime, but always have a plan for paying for them.

🔗 Helpful Travel Links

A few other ways I can help this week:

Prepare to Travel

🌍 Applying for your first passport? Follow my step-by-step guide; see exactly what you need to get started.

🇬🇭 Ready to experience the magic of Ghana? Join me for The Essence of Ghana Tour 2027; explore the experience and secure your spot.

🧳 Planning your own trip? I offer 1:1 itinerary planning; see how it works and book a session.

Strengthen Your Travel Finances

💰 Saving for your next adventure? Create a dedicated travel fund with SoFi; open an account and start preparing today.

💳 Want to elevate your travel experience? Explore the benefits of the American Express Platinum Card; learn more through my referral link.

📘 Building your credit for travel? My credit guide ($8) walks through exactly what I used to qualify for cards that fund trips like this — grab it here.

Join the Community

💬 Come hang out in the Xotic Xcursions Facebook Community​

☕ Enjoyed this newsletter? If it gave you something useful, you can buy me a coffee; every bit helps me keep writing these.

Stress less. Travel more. Create memories of a lifetime. ✈️

Disclosure: Some links are affiliate or referral links. If you apply, open an account, or make a purchase through one of these links, I may receive compensation or rewards at no additional cost to you. Please review the terms, fees, and eligibility requirements before applying.