After 2 layoffs and a breakup, I left my life to travel full time. 3 cities helped my anxiety — and one overwhelmed me.

• Over the past two years, Macie Strum has traveled across Asia, Australia and Europe before settling in Sarajevo.

• As someone who struggles with anxiety, she found three places that helped her feel calmer and more at ease.

• In Ho Chi Minh City, it was the opposite: she felt overstimulated and exhausted.

Some people let anxiety stop them from traveling. I use travel to keep mine in check.

After a breakup and two layoffs in 2023, I realized that the life I was working for no longer felt right. At the start of 2024, I decided to leave this behind: sublet my apartment, sell my belongings and book a one-way flight to Asia.

Living with anxiety hasn’t stopped me from seeing the world, but it has changed how I choose where to go.

As I traveled through Asia, Australia, and Europe before settling in Sarajevo, I began to seek out environments that allowed me to relax more easily, whether through nature, creative expression, or quiet reflection. Still, I sometimes found myself in places that left me overstimulated and exhausted.

Today, as a full-time travel writer, I’ve visited dozens of destinations around the world. Three stood out for the calm they gave me, while one had the opposite effect.

Vieste, Italy

After visiting crowded towns all over Italy, Vieste offered a true sense of Italian calm. For someone who travels with anxiety, this slower pace was something I craved.

Located in the Gargano National Park in the Puglia region, Vieste is more difficult to reach than other Italian destinations. My friend and I rented a car and drove five hours from Naples, but it was worth it.

Vieste is perched above white limestone cliffs that overlook the Adriatic. For a week, my days were full of strong espressos in the morning, afternoons at the beach, and walks around town after dinner.

For me, the highlight of Vieste was the sunsets. Every evening I watched the sun slip beneath the sea as pinks and purples painted the sky. There are few places left in Italy that still offer as peaceful an escape as Vieste.

Penang, Malaysia

My anxious mind found refuge on the Malaysian island of Penang. Unlike many other Southeast Asian cities that seem chaotic and overwhelming, George Town, the capital of Penang, moves at a gentler and more welcoming pace.

One of the aspects I loved most about the city was its multiculturalism – Chinese, Malay and Indian cultures as well as British colonial influences – which give the city its unique vibe.

Creative inspiration is tangible throughout George Town. Exploring the UNESCO World Heritage city for five days was like walking through an open-air museum, with historic temples, vibrant street art and colorful shops on every corner.

For me, it’s the perfect balance between activity and leisure. Whether it’s strolling around Penang Hill, relaxing on nearby beaches, or strolling through the historic street cafes, George Town always has something new to discover without ever feeling overwhelmed.

Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

During a two-month trip through the Balkans, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, affected me in an unexpected way.

I also found peaceful moments exploring the surroundings of Mostar. In places like Blagaj Tekke and Kravica Waterfalls, nature and spirituality are closely linked.

One idea I took away from my time in Mostar – and Bosnia and Herzegovina as a whole – is ćejf. It’s hard to translate but easy to feel: a state of mind focused on slowing down and appreciating life’s simple pleasures, like lingering over coffee with close friends. At its core, it’s about doing something purely for the joy it brings – something we could all benefit from more of.

Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

As far as quiet cities go, Ho Chi Minh City is the complete opposite. With its constant flow of traffic and crowded party streets, it can seem overly stimulating.

At all hours of the day, the incessant honking of vehicle horns fills the air. Crossing the street seems almost impossible, and even if you succeed, you’ll still have to weave through a sea of ​​scooters moving in all directions.

And the sidewalks? They are often just an extension of the street.

At night, the city’s energy only intensifies. In busy areas like Bui Vien Street, bars compete to play the loudest music while club promoters shout at passersby, sometimes trying to get them inside.

For visitors who love nightlife and chaos, Ho Chi Minh City can be exciting. But for me, it was difficult to manage my anxiety. I was on high alert throughout my three-day visit – even a simple walk down the street often felt like sensory overload.

Read the original article on Business Insider