I keep dreaming about the same cities because they mark moments of who I was becoming, not places I’ve already reached—and unless something truly changes, repeating the list feels less like growth and more like comfort.
Why Do We Keep Dreaming About the Same Cities We Never Visit?
Every December, WordPress asks me which cities I want to visit. Every December, I answer. And every December, I wonder if I’m building a travel plan or just curating a fantasy I’m too comfortable with to actually pursue.
I’ve been staring at today’s WordPress prompt – “What cities do you want to visit?” – and I have to be honest with you. This is my third year encountering this exact same question.
I look back at what I wrote in 2023, where I poured my heart into describing dream destinations with all that romantic wanderlust – Kyoto’s temples, Reykjavik’s Northern Lights, Porto’s cobblestone charm. Then came 2024, when I took a different angle and explored futuristic urban experiences, imagining myself in cities pushing the boundaries of innovation.
Both posts feel complete to me. They captured what I was feeling at those moments in time.
Now here I am again, and I’m wondering: is this prompt worth repeating a third time?
Unless something significant has shifted – maybe I’ve actually visited some of those dream cities and discovered new ones to chase, or my travel priorities have completely changed, or I want to explore a totally different angle like cities for food, art, or wellness – I worry a third post might just echo what I’ve already said. And I don’t want to bore you, my readers, with repetition.
So I’m considering some alternatives:
1. Write about cities I’ve recently discovered that genuinely surprised me
2. Shine a light on underrated destinations that deserve more attention
3. Reflect on how my travel wishlist has actually evolved over these three years
4. Skip this prompt altogether and find something that sparks fresh inspiration
What do you think? Should I take this in a completely new direction, or is it time to let this particular prompt rest?
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If you have answered this particular prompt before, then I would skip it! That is, unless you have something entirely fresh to bring to the answer. Fresh inspiration is always more useful. ☺
Thank you for this thoughtful perspective — I really appreciate it. You’ve captured exactly what I’ve been wrestling with: the balance between honoring reflection and avoiding repetition. I agree that freshness matters, and this comment actually reinforces my instinct to either approach the prompt from a genuinely new angle or let it rest altogether. Sometimes growth shows up not in answering every question, but in knowing which ones no longer serve the moment. 😊
Hi Johnbritto! I am pleased that I was able to assist with your thoughts. I look forward to reading your new ideas and thinking in the future.
With best wishes for the season.
Sharon ☺
🙏👏🌷🎉