Back in the Bangkok Loop
Every trip has its cycle. This is the end of mine. The routines set in. The streets feel automatic. The energy dips. Bangkok never changes — but staying too long will change you.
Decline Phase
the emotions and behaviour that occur at the decline phase stage of travel
5 Days in Makati — The Reset I Didn’t Plan
Makati was only meant to be a stopover. But travel has a way of deciding things for you. Five days later — tired, burnt out, and down with a cold — I realised I wasn’t just stuck in a city. I was stuck in a loop. This is the story of slowing down, stepping back, and learning the hard way when it’s time to stop.
Hedonic Adaptation: Why Travel Thrills Fade and How to Fight It
Even the most exciting trips eventually feel flat. This post explores the hidden force behind that fading thrill—hedonic adaptation—and reveals practical, purpose-driven ways to reset your excitement and fall in love with travel all over again.
Travel Contrast: The Key to Keeping Travel Exciting
Why does travel lose its thrill? The answer isn’t bigger or better experiences—it’s contrast. Switching between luxury and budget, city and nature, fast and slow prevents burnout and keeps travel exciting. Learn how Travel Contrast is the key to long-term, fulfilling adventures.
Travel Nostalgia: The Glow of Past Journeys
Why do past trips seem better than they really were? Travel nostalgia is a selective memory trap that exaggerates highlights and erases struggles. This post explores how nostalgia fuels repetitive travel cycles and why chasing old feelings rarely leads to the same magic.
Travel Restlessness: The Itch That Never Settles
Why do travelers feel restless, even in great places? Travel restlessness isn’t just boredom—it’s a force that pushes between adventure, distraction, and purpose. Learn how to recognize it, manage it, and turn it into something meaningful.
Travel Detachment: Why We Mentally Check Out Before Leaving
Travel detachment is the quiet fade-out before departure—the moment when the mind shifts away from the present and toward the journey home. This natural phase in the travel cycle can leave you feeling disconnected before you’ve even left. Understanding why it happens can help you stay engaged until the very end.
The Travel Cycle
Every journey follows a predictable emotional arc—the Travel Cycle. It begins with anticipation, peaks in discovery, dips into routine and fatigue, and ends with reflection before returning home. Understanding these phases helps travelers manage expectations, avoid burnout, and make the most of their trips. Explore how the cycle unfolds and how to stay engaged through each stage.