my goal has always been to travel as much as possible, whether alone or with company. traveling alone is a whole different level of self-discipline, as it requires you to be alone with your thoughts in a different, often challenging environment. it helps you reach a self-realization about yourself and zooms out all your current problems in your life.

thank you to everyone who has told me to record this, I hope it is helpful!

do i still think people are out to manipulate me when they validate me? yes.

you know that saying "don't let the compliments get to your head", well seriously. you ever stop and wonder why people validate others? is it to encourage good behavior? or discourage being outcasted? like in this podcast, the example of academic validation fundamentally shapes children and really is just a form of manipulation. staying humble and grounded in your achievements (how big or small) is waiving the white flag in power dynamics.

like my dad would say, one is only great when others say you are great, not yourself.