Therapy was expensive ...so I took a trip !!

Let me set the scene. It’s Friday morning, I’m packing my bags for a weekend trip to Chikkamagaluru with my brother, one friend, and 23 complete strangers. "This will either be the best decision ever," I thought, "or the plot of my own personal horror movie." Spoiler alert: it wasn’t a horror movie (phew!). Instead, it turned out to be one of the most unexpectedly heartwarming and hilarious experiences of my life.

💪Checking off another thing from my bucketlist because Bunny from YJHD said "25 anjan logo ke sath trip pe jane ke liye guts chahiye hote ha! "

Alexa... play YJHD background music

### Never Say No to New Opportunities (Even When You Want To)

When this trip idea popped up, my first instinct was to run. Fast. Going on a trip with a group of people I had never met? Sounds like a setup for a reality TV show gone wrong. But in a rare moment of bravery—or possibly insanity—I said yes.

And thank goodness I did. Saying yes led me to some of the most random and memorable experiences. The beauty of saying yes is that it forces you to live in the moment—awkward singing, crazy dancing and all—and those moments are what made the trip so special.

### Embrace First-Time Experiences (Even If They’re Terrifying)

I’ll be honest. Trying new things freaks me out. The first morning of the trip, I was hit with the realization that I had signed myself up for a weekend full of firsts—first time hiking the highest peak of Karnataka , first time sleeping in a tent at a camp that is located in completed darkness, first time trusting strangers with my snacks. Terrifying, right?

But something incredible happens when you embrace the unknown: you grow. Sure, the hike nearly destroyed me, and yes, I did complete the trek. When I sat inside the temple bare foot, my body released the entire pain and anxiousness. It turns out that trying new things not only challenges you but also leaves you with hilarious stories to tell later.

### Go with the Flow (Because Control Is a Myth Anyway)

As a planner, I like to know what’s coming. I like my days neatly scheduled and my expectations met. So when the weather went off the rails (thanks to hot weather), I had a small existential crisis. But the reality hit me hard: life doesn’t care about my plans. It’s going to do its thing regardless of my color-coded spreadsheet.

So, I decided to just roll with it. And you know what? Going with the flow led to some of the best moments of the trip. Like when our bornfire plan turned into a spontaneous dance party ( ten times more fun). Letting go of control made everything more enjoyable, and it taught me that sometimes, the unplanned moments are the ones that matter most.

Remember to pause for the small moments!

### The Value of Making New Friends (Even If You have a couple of old ones)

I’ve always been a “quality over quantity” person when it comes to friends. But on this trip, surrounded by strangers, I realized how wonderful it is to just... connect. Before this trip, I had a hard and fast rule: no new friends. I mean, maintaining the ones I already have is a full-time job. But spending a weekend with 23 strangers forced me to rethink that. 

And here’s the emotional part: those strangers? They became my people. We bonded over inside jokes, shared meals, and the sheer absurdity of finding ourselves in this random adventure together. It was a reminder that no matter how different we all are, connection is universal. Plus, now I have a bunch of new people to go out with (my favorite part).

I found myself inspired by the courage of the solo travelers who left everything behind to see the world on their terms. Hearing their stories reminded me of the power of following your own path and trusting yourself. They made me want to go out and find my own solo adventures, too (though I might need some time to work up to that level of bravery).

Let me reveal one secret... quitest people dance the best !!

### Embracing Life’s Unpredictability (And Maybe a Little Chaos)

If there’s one thing I hope you take from this, it’s that life is full of unexpected opportunities. Sometimes they’re disguised as terrifying group trips, and sometimes they’re right in front of you, waiting for a yes. So say yes. Jump in. 

And don’t forget to pack extra smile—you never know when you’ll meet a new friend who really, really needs it.

Confession : This was the first time I was so happy ever since I moved to Bangalore...<3

Planned and executed by Tripper Trails

Thank you Captains !!