Anh

Telling stories with my camera, my music, and sometimes my words.

[littleanhexploringtheworld]

Trust the process

Anh, trust yourself.

You're gonna be fine.

You’re carving your own path, and even when it feels tough, you’re growing into the freedom and happiness you crave.

Keep trusting the process.

You’ve got this!

1.10 AM

05.02.2025

[littleanhexploringtheworld]

UNTITLED 22.01.2025

Hello world,

It’s been a while since I last wrote anything here. I know I should do this more often, but honestly, the laziness in me is unstoppable lol.

The Lunar New Year is just a few days away, and I’ve come back home… wait, “home” feels like such a strange word, even in my native language. I’d rather call it my parents’ house. I’m here to prepare for and celebrate the Lunar New Year with my family. I couldn’t do it last year since I was in the UK, crying over my thesis (and living my best concert life, of course!).

Before 2023, every time Lunar New Year came around, I’d get so excited because I knew it meant a break—time to rest, hang out with my family and friends. But honestly, after 2023, it feels different. I don’t know why, but I just want it over with. Especially this year, I can’t seem to feel happy or excited about it. I hate admitting that out loud, but it feels weird and gives me the ick.

Part of me still longs for my life in the UK. I miss everything I had there. Like I said before, I need time to adapt to this new life, but deep down… do I really need time? Would I even want to adapt if I had more time?

I feel like I don’t belong here anymore. I’m lost. I’m stuck between the UK and Vietnam, between the past and the present, and I can’t even find the right words to describe it.

Thankfully, I still keep in touch with some of my friends in the UK, and honestly, it helps with my mental health. Especially my concert friends—I miss them so much and am truly grateful for our friendship. Being fangirls and delusional together? Top-notch memories. I MISS YOU GUYS A LOT.

Talking to you all every day is a highlight of my day. I’ll never forget that time I had “Agnes” by Glass Animals on repeat, and you guys got so worried you messaged me in the group. Girl, I LOVE YOU. Thank you for making me feel less lonely and reminding me that somewhere out there, people still think about me.

At some point, I don’t even know what I’m doing with my life anymore. I hate myself for feeling like this. Like, seriously, what the hell is wrong with me?!

I know I can do better, so why don’t I just get out there and try my best?

WHAT THE HELL.

Ugh. I’m stuck in my own thoughts day after day, and I have no idea how to solve any of this.

Oh, and reverse culture shock is no joke. Some people here, with their tiny, conservative mindsets, piss me off. Their perspective feels as small as a peanut lmao.

BUT, I’m still grateful that I’ve seen the world. I’ve realized my value, learned how to be a better version of myself, and discovered that there’s so much more waiting for me out there—more people to meet, more music to enjoy, and so much more to explore.

That’s all for today.

Lunar New Year 2025: YOU SUCK.

Goodnight.

[littleanhexploringtheworld]

HAPPY NEW YEAR WOO HOO! 🎉

New year, same old me—with the same delulu vibes. 😂

I miss my friends in the UK so much. It’s funny that this is the first thing that came to my mind today. I hope they’re all doing well because receiving their messages on New Year’s Eve truly warmed my heart.

I’m also really happy to have made more amazing friends this year. They’re so sweet, and I can yap for hours without any fear of being judged lol. Our conversations are fun and silly, sometimes wild, and always full of laughs. Even though we’re not in the same country, they make me feel like I’m never alone. But, yeah, I still miss them so much.

Yesterday, I finally finished editing my 2024 concert video recap. Not gonna lie, it took me two whole days of skimming through concert footage to pull together the best moments—and I didn’t even watch everything yet! Just going through it made me so emotional. These concerts were so beautiful, and I kind of want to tattoo all the memories onto my brain 🥺 Even now, rewatching the video on Instagram makes me teary.

Reading my concert friends’ comments moves me so much. I miss them and all the amazing experiences we shared, and I’m incredibly grateful that some of us still keep in touch. Music has always been my safe space, but this year, it became the bridge that connected me to incredible people.

Right now, it’s 12 p.m., and I’m yapping here because I forgot to write something for myself on New Year’s Eve 😅 I wanted to, but...I forgot. Maybe I’ll come back if I remember what it was.

That’s all for now—I gotta get back to work. Wishing everyone an incredible year ahead!

[littleanhexploringtheworld]

Are You Bored Yet?

Are you bored yet with the life you once pictured for yourself—life after years of studying in the UK, returning "home", and everything magically falling into place?

Are you bored yet with the people you thought would always understand and support you, only to realize it was all in your mind?

Are you bored yet with the place you used to call home, even though it doesn’t feel like home anymore?

Are you bored yet when you find yourself in a room full of people but still feel lonely and lost?

Are you bored yet when you realize the ones who truly understand you live so far away?

Are you bored yet when you wake up and know you can’t fully be yourself around people who’ve "known" you your entire life?

Are you bored yet when you open your eyes every morning and can’t say “Good morning” or “Hi, how are you?” to friends, housemates, colleagues, or even your boss?

Are you bored yet trying to fit into an environment that feels anything but comfortable?

Are you bored yet wearing a mask every time you step out of your room, faking a happy smile while feeling crushed inside—knowing no one here truly understands what it’s like to be stuck between two places?

Are you bored yet calling this home when, deep down, you’re not even sure where home is anymore?

Are you bored yet waking up and realizing you’re no longer living in that dream? Reality has hit, and it’s unforgiving.

Are you hurt when you wonder if, one day, you might admit to yourself that “coming home was a mistake”?

[littleanhexploringtheworld]

Between two homes

Hi world,

It feels a little strange to take the thoughts swirling in my head and put them out here. I never imagined I’d publish something like this, especially since I’ve only been journaling on my laptop—just keeping my words to myself.

It’s 1:22 a.m. where I am, and I find myself in a place that doesn’t quite feel like home. I was born and raised here, but something has shifted. I feel caught between two countries, two places, two homes. I still love this place, but there’s a part of me that’s changed in ways I can’t fully explain.

It’s still Christmas Day in the UK, and I can’t stop missing the holiday vibes there. I long for the cold weather, the music outside churches, restaurants, and coffee shops. I miss the smell of hot chocolate topped with marshmallows, the sound of laughter, the joy of people celebrating, the bustling streets with everyone rushing to get home or pick up gifts for loved ones.

Right now, I have Helium by Glass Animals on repeat. It’s probably not the best choice because every time I hear it, it stirs something deep inside me. Tonight, it hits even harder. I was scrolling through my camera roll and stumbled upon photos and videos with friends back in England.

"I guess I want you more than I thought I did Now that I know that part of you’s at home with him I guess I want you more than I thought I did Now that I know that part of you’s not part of this."

These lyrics cut through me, especially tonight. On top of that, End of Beginning by Djo feels like it was written for me. "You take the man out of the city, not the city out the man."

England, Northampton, London, and every other city I visited will always be my Chicago. I love you.

And by “you,” I mean everything—the people who became my friends, the places I explored, the food I tried, the atmosphere I breathed in and out. Everything. You all have a special place in my heart.

Goodnight!

Anh

26/12/2024