Rhonda Charles

Over the first four episodes of The EQ Traveler series, we explored what happens when we approach both travel and leadership through an emotionally intelligent lens. This post is a pause. A breath. A chance to reflect on what we’ve uncovered so far before we move forward.

In recent years, women travelers have become more thoughtful about how they plan. Not because they are fearful, but because they are informed. Confidence today is not about ignoring headlines or pushing forward blindly. It is about understanding context, choosing wisely, and creating support systems that allow travel to feel steady and enriching, even when the world feels complex.

Uncertainty has always existed in travel. The difference: we’re just more aware of it now. Global headlines move fast. Military activity, airspace changes, geopolitical tensions — it can feel like the world is unstable and travel should wait. But seasoned travelers and experienced planners know something important: Travel doesn’t stop in uncertain times. It becomes more intentional. The difference between stressful travel and confident travel isn’t if you go — it’s when, where, and how you...