Seeing Myself Gently Grow Through Solo Trips (A reflection comparing my NYC trip in January and my Chicago trip in May)

Looking back, when I visited Chicago, I felt very proud of myself. The reason was that I could explore the city on my own without feeling as much fear as before. I had carefully planned my itinerary while also remaining flexible. I even tried visiting places that didn't particularly interest me. My mindset was: just try and enjoy new experiences--you never know whether you'll like something unless you give it a chance. It is better to go somewhere and find out you don't like it than to never go and always wonder.

In my opinion, even if a place seems uninteresting at first, the moment of being there may turn out to be a memory you cherish in the future. So if you ever have to visit a place that doesn't seem exciting, I would say: go anyway, try to enjoy it, and make the best memories you can.

During my solo trip to Chicago, I encountered some homeless people (as usual), but I didn't feel as scared as I did during my solo trip to NYC. From that previous trip, I learned something important: our sense of fear depends on our mindset. If we start to feel worried or afraid but remind ourselves that everything will be fine, we tend to feel safer and more in control. On the other hand, if we can't manage our thoughts and let fear take over, the situation will feel much worse.

So instead of worrying and thinking negatively, it is better to stay optimistic but still cautious. That's the key.

🌟Summary💭

"Fear doesn't come from the outside--it starts in your mind."

Stay calm, think clearly, and fear loses its power.

PS. I am not saying I did not fear during my trip to Chicago--I did. But I learned to be more mindful, more careful, and found ways to make my self feel safer.

This girl is a fighter, mom! Don’t worry!