Traveling as a gender-nonconforming person is disquieting.

But, and this may sound hokey, one thing that legitimately helps me fear strangers less is remembering that everyone is beloved. When I imagine someone deeply loves this stranger before me (who triggers something in me), so long as I know I’m deeply loved too, I relax a bit and take up my space.

I know this won’t work for everyone and in every context, but it has been helping me while I’ve been traveling this week. Thought I’d share. Thanks for reading.