In between journaling my goals and sipping warm tea on slow mornings, there are moments like this—standing in the middle of a vibrant city, far from routine, completely alive.

Chicago welcomed me with charm and chill, and in the rhythm of its streets, I found a little piece of myself. The kind that isn’t trying to improve, optimise, or reflect. Just being. No pressure to be productive, no inner checklist—just me, exploring, savouring, and soaking in the now.

It reminded me that self-improvement doesn’t always look like structure and silence. Sometimes, it’s about stepping outside of your world and into something new. Into laughter. Into wonder. Into messy hair, camera rolls full of architecture, and spontaneous café stops.

This, too, is wellness. This, too, is growth.

Where’s the last place you travelled that made you feel completely present?