My USA adventure

Written By Anna Balandynowicz

Three weeks. One first-time flight to the United States. And a chapter of my life that quietly, but decisively, began to turn.

In October 2025, I visited the USA for the very first time. I landed in Atlanta and drove to Memphis, staying for three weeks. It was a real vacation—my first chance to experience the energy and rhythm of Tennessee and Mississippi. But it was also something more: a personal pilgrimage. This trip marked a shift.

Views during flight have been just amazing

A first-time America experience: Atlanta to Memphis

Arriving in Atlanta felt like stepping into a new pace of life—bigger roads, wider skies, and the kind of movement that makes you feel both small and brave. The drive to Memphis was the moment I realized: I’m actually doing this. I’m here.

For three weeks, I explored, rested, and reset. I absorbed the region's warmth and character, and let myself believe that life could still surprise me in good ways.

Why this trip was a turning point

This wasn’t only about seeing new places. It came after a period that truly tested me—after a personal breakdown and one of the hardest chapters I’ve lived through.

I needed proof that I could still move forward, rebuild, and feel hopeful—without pretending everything was perfect.

This trip gave me that proof. It came through small, quiet moments and the simple courage of showing up in a new place as a newer, quieter version of myself. It was the beginning of trusting my own resilience again.

What I’m taking with me

When I think about those three weeks, I don’t only remember the places—I remember the feeling:

  • The feeling of doing something for the first time, even while nervous.

  • The feeling of creating space for my own peace.

  • The feeling of starting again—gently, realistically, and step by step.

This trip is part of my story because it represents what I stand for: transitions are not linear, and healing isn’t instant. But change is possible. Sometimes, the next chapter starts with one brave decision—like boarding a plane when you need to remember your own strength.

Closing

My USA adventure was a vacation, a first-time experience, and a quiet turning point.

It reminded me that even after a breakdown, life can still expand. New places can hold new peace. And the future is built calmly, intentionally, one trusting step at a time.

Anna Balandynowicz