Life was a whirlwind of anxiety, so I took time to heal.

Cherry blossoms in Chiang Mai - Photo: TRINH TRUC QUYNH

During a conversation at the end of the year, my close friend, a psychology expert, shared that he was surprised to find during his research that "healing" has been a frequently searched keyword on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and podcast series in recent years.

What's noteworthy is that the majority of those seeking healing are young people aged 18-25. This information surprised us and made us wonder why more and more young people like us are seeking healing? What have they endured and what do they expect from a modern society like this?

Overwhelmed and lost by the pressures of life.

Personally, I believe that mental health, an aspect almost completely overlooked by previous generations, has now become a top concern for young people in modern life.

In the modern world , as material needs become increasingly convenient, the interaction between humans and technology is increasingly overshadowing spiritual life and interactions between people.

As a result, the younger generation becomes more lonely and lost in their search for their own identity and life needs.

I'm the same way. Due to the nature of my teaching job, I often face a lot of pressure throughout the nine months of the school year. Sometimes, because of worries about school matters, I return to my dorm room exhausted, with a throbbing headache, my body aching, and unable to sleep.

That's not even considering the mental stress that any young person has to endure when living in a bustling city.

As the year draws to a close, my mind is racing with a multitude of worries and anxieties as I try to finish my work before Tet (Lunar New Year) so I can get home to my family.

There were even years when, after traveling a long distance home, I would just sleep through the entire Lunar New Year holiday, not bothering to go out and have fun or spend time with my family.

Several times, when some relatives came to wish me a Happy New Year, they saw how tired I was, exchanged a few greetings, and then quietly returned to their room or opened their laptops to continue their unfinished work in the city.

My parents were extremely worried when they saw my situation. I was their only daughter, and their family was small, with few relatives on both sides. So, they booked a tour to Thailand so the whole family could celebrate Tet (Vietnamese New Year) in a new place.

Simple and happy moments

Chiang Mai in early spring, in my eyes, is a peaceful and poetic scene. Returning to Thailand for the second time, I was incredibly surprised by the bustling, vibrant yet very traditional atmosphere of this highland.

The local authorities have no intention of modernizing this beautiful highland region; they only aim to preserve its rustic, natural beauty to attract tourists. But somehow, Chiang Mai has transformed, becoming incredibly appealing in the eyes of visitors from afar.

Breakfast at the resort

Leaving behind the hustle and bustle of everyday life, I strolled with my parents around the lush green tea hills, feeling incredibly peaceful and serene.

What I love most about spring in Thailand is strolling slowly with my parents at the foot of the mountains, stopping at a small Thai-style lemon tea shop in the middle of the forest, admiring the cherry blossoms blooming in silence, and stroking the tail of a gray and white cat, feeling a sense of tranquility as if I'm lost in a dream.

Occasionally, a few shimmering rays of sunlight gently fall on my shoulders, filtering through the fragrant tea and sweet slice of cheesecake, reminding me to cherish the peaceful time before me.

My journey to a foreign land unexpectedly brought me happiness, even if only for a few simple moments.

What I remember most is waking up on a sunny weekend morning in Chiang Rai, hearing the birds chirping and the water flowing gently around the resort where I was staying, feeling as if all my worries and anxieties had been swept away by the wind.

Absentmindedly looking out into the yard, I saw my parents sitting and having breakfast – fried eggs with bread and some Thai sausages – happily chatting with their new travel companions. The older people on the trip excitedly told my parents about the countries they had visited and the many beautiful and charming landscapes they had seen.

My parents seemed to connect with each other, comfortably sharing countless childhood dreams they had forgotten.

Thanks to this trip, I've come to understand my parents better, and I'm amazed to learn that they once harbored so many beautiful dreams, just like our generation. The bond between everyone in the family has become much stronger after these trips during Tet (Lunar New Year).

Seek freedom after each journey.

Healing with Nature - Screenshot from Guidepost

Travel always gives me a sense of spiritual "escape," because I get to live in a strange place, see strange things, and do things that are different from my daily routine.

That moment during Tet brought me so many strange emotions, helping me understand the value of freedom, broadening my horizons, and realizing that there are no real limits in this vast and boundless world.

What I remember most is standing at the Blue Temple, a temple with unique architecture, painted entirely in an eye-catching blue color, on a peaceful afternoon, amidst countless strangers from all over the world. I chose a small corner, listened to the temple bells, and watched the birds fly in the breezy sky.

That moment made me understand the value of the days I had to live the life I wanted. And I know that, at any point in life, happiness should come from the freedom to choose what is best for oneself.

Accepting reader submissions from January 25th to February 24th, the "My Tet Moments" contest is an opportunity for readers to share beautiful moments and unforgettable experiences from Tet with family and friends.

The organizing committee received nearly 600 entries from readers over the past month. More than 50 entries have been selected and are being published on Tuoi Tre Online . We sincerely thank our readers for submitting entries and following the contest during the Lunar New Year of the Year of the Dragon this year.

Several more articles will be published in the near future.

The awards ceremony and closing event are scheduled to take place in March 2024. The prize structure includes 1 first prize (15 million VND in cash and gifts), 2 second prizes (7 million VND and gifts), and 3 third prizes (5 million VND and gifts).

The program is sponsored by HDBank .

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/cuoc-song-quay-cuong-lo-lang-toi-danh-thoi-gian-di-chua-lanh-20240228092653679.htm