What brings happiness to you that no one else could possibly fulfill? For me, that would be water. It can be just about any form of water, but it calms me like nothing else can.

I use sleep sounds to relieve my nighttime anxiety, a faucet when in the bathroom (I know this may seem selfish, given the waste of resources), and whenever I visit places, waterfalls, or something related is a requirement.

The gem to the left was in Chicago. At the time, I was on high alert due to the negative media it has received in 2021 about the crime rates. I’ve never wanted to leave a place so badly immediately after arriving.

This location was near the end of the trip, and my only regret is that I should have stopped here sooner. The idea was to get the “touristy” things out of the way first, but we often let our mental well-being get pushed to the backburner.

I’m learning more to give up those things that I truly care nothing about if it does not bring me joy. Part of the trade-off is finding somewhere new to explore, as the newness makes up for the lack of outdoor adventure.

It’s a bonus if you have a partner who genuinely enjoys the same experiences. Subscribe if you agree.