The Art of Slow Travel: Why I Spent a Week in One Small Town

 

For most of my life, I’ve been a cautious person. I overthink decisions, weigh pros and cons endlessly, and often talk myself out of opportunities before giving them a chance. But last month, I decided to try an experiment: I would say “yes” to everything for 30 days within reason, of course. No illegal activities, nothing that would put me in real danger, but any invitation, request, or new experience that came my way, I’d embrace it.
The results? Surprisingly transformative. Here’s what I learned.  


1. Saying ‘Yes’ Breaks the Overthinking Cycle

I’ve always believed that careful consideration leads to the best choices. But what I didn’t realize was how much my hesitation was costing me—missed connections, unexplored hobbies, and untapped confidence.  

During my "Yes Month," I accepted last-minute invites, tried activities I’d normally avoid (like improv comedy), and even agreed to a spontaneous road trip. Instead of overanalyzing, I just went for it. And guess what? Most of the time, things worked out fine—sometimes even better than expected.  

Lesson: Overthinking often steals joy. Saying "yes" forces you to act before doubt creeps in.

2. Opportunities Multiply When You Stop Declining Them
Before this experiment, I’d decline networking events, skip social gatherings, and ignore 

random DMs. But this month, I said yes to:  

- A podcast interview (despite hating my voice on recordings)  

- A friend’s art exhibition (even though I knew nothing about art)

- A coding workshop (despite being a total beginner)

The result? I made unexpected connections, discovered new interests, and even landed a freelance opportunity—all because I showed up.

Lesson: Saying "yes" opens doors you didn’t even know existed.  

3. Comfort Zones Are Illusions

One of my biggest fears was looking foolish. But after saying "yes" to karaoke (terrible singing included), a dance class (zero rhythm), and a public speaking gig (despite stage fright), I realized: nobody cares as much as you think they do.
In fact, people respected my willingness to try. The more I embraced discomfort, the smaller my fears became.

Lesson: Growth happens outside comfort zones—and they expand faster than you think.  

4. Not Every ‘Yes’ Leads to Magic (And That’s Okay)
Not every "yes" was life-changing. Some experiences were just… fine. A few were outright awkward (like agreeing to help move a couch up five flights of stairs). But even the duds taught me something—like setting minor boundaries or recognizing when to say no next time.

Lesson: Failure and mediocrity are part of the process. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s exploration.  

5. I Discovered What I Really Want to Say ‘No’ To

By the end of the month, something unexpected happened: I became more selective. Not because I was reverting to old habits, but because I now had a clearer sense of what truly mattered to me.  

Before, I’d say "no" out of fear. Now, when I decline something, it’s because I’m choosing to focus on what aligns with my goals.

Lesson: Constant "yes" teaches you when "no" is more powerful.  

Final Thoughts: Should You Try It?

If you’re stuck in a rut, plagued by indecision, or just curious about what lies beyond your usual routine try a "Yes Week" (or month). You don’t have to go extreme, but push yourself to accept a few unexpected opportunities.  

At worst, you’ll have some funny stories. At best, you might just change your life.  

So… what will you say "yes" to next?