Last week was my birthday week — and also the final few days I stayed at my brother’s place. Traveling home while living with family doesn’t feel like travel at all. Everything’s soft, familiar, taken care of. I didn’t need to think much. My sister-in-law cooked for me, did my laundry, and honestly, I felt a bit spoiled. I followed my to-do list each day in a quiet rhythm. It was calm and fulfilling — a rare pocket of peace before stepping into something much more personal: solo travel self discovery. My goal is to do one solo trip per season, beginning with this one.

Let’s review the three “trinities” in my life where I built my new year’s resolution on.

Trinity I – Books: Escaping the Scroll

I read for 7 hours this week and finished 2 books: one is “More Die of Heartbreak” by Saul Bellow and the other one is “Death in the Clouds” by Agatha Christie. Regular reading really helps to avoid the void at night, but there are still times you just feel like scrolling the phone. I find that when I schedule my reading — especially at night — it helps me avoid the endless scroll. Not always, but often enough.

Learning-wise, I managed to study three out of five planned lessons. I’m adjusting my time strategy so I can prioritize more efficiently and stop wasting creative energy.

These small routines are part of a deeper process — perhaps a quiet preparation for solo travel self discovery, though I didn’t fully realize it yet.

Trinity II – Miles: Running Toward the Sun

I only ran once last week, taking advantage of the only sunny day. But I also biked 10km while book shopping for my sister-in-law’s birthday. The highlight, though, was hashing in Nanjing — an informal, adventurous run with strangers. It felt freeing, playful, and alive.

Somewhere in those miles, I began to feel the early signs of solo travel self discovery, like a soft whisper before the leap.

Trinity III – Matters of the Heart

Finally, I wrote each day every day this last week! Bravo for myself! I also did a long Chinese post after a chat with my dear brother, who felt really lost sometimes. I am currently practicing singing “Back to December” by Taylor Swift. I love the song and I did have moments where I wanted to go back to some place for someone, but not recent couple of years. I feel lucky for that.

The Night Before: Hesitation at the Door

On Friday night, I couldn’t sleep. I was about to leave the comfort of my brother’s home and head off on a trip alone. No plans, no clear structure — just me. It felt strange. I usually hate planning, and I rarely travel solo. But this year, I promised myself to change that. That train to Nanjing was the first real step into solo travel self discovery. The kind where you’re not sure what you’re looking for, but you go anyway. for myself.

Solo Travel Self Discovery Begins in Nanjing

I landed in Nanjing, alone, for a hashing event. I ate takeout in a hotel room, unsure of everything. The next day, I ran with a group I didn’t know. I was nervous — that jittery, outsider energy — but as soon as the run began, I focused only on the path ahead.

And then, something shifted.

I met kind, hilarious people. I explored the city while waiting for my delayed flight to Kunming. It turned out to be one of the most unexpectedly joyful days I’ve had in a while. And honestly, solo travel self discovery is full of those hidden rewards — but only if you go.

Growth, On the Move

Now I’m in Kunming, far from where I live and work. I’m writing this from a hotel room, feeling weirdly calm. I’m still working remotely, still following my daily plans. But something about this temporary rootlessness feels powerful — like I’m building a new version of myself one mile, one meal, one notebook page at a time.

And that’s what solo travel self discovery really is — not about being alone, but about being present for yourself.

Trusting the Road Ahead

For the next few weeks, I’ll keep traveling and working. No need to have it all figured out — just a list, a direction, and trust that I can take care of myself.

I used to think solo trips were about isolation. But now, I think they’re about intimacy. With your thoughts, your rhythms, your wants. A subtle, brave kind of closeness.

That’s the heart of solo travel self discovery.

Thanks for reading! Hope you’re enjoying yourself if you’re currently on a solo trip somewhere.