My 26th birthday! Help me travel

Serena Marshall Start Date: Jan 2, 2026 - End Date: Jan 31, 2026
  • Cultural Exchange
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Vacation/Personal Trip
  • San Francisco, CA, United States of America

My Travel Story

by: Serena Marshall Start Date: Jan 2, 2026 - End Date: Jan 31, 2026
  • Cultural Exchange
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Vacation/Personal Trip
For a long time, my world has felt small. I have spent years navigating the heavy fog of anxiety and depression, and honestly, birthdays have always been the hardest days. I’ve often felt overlooked or like I was just "getting through" another year rather than actually living it.

This year, I am choosing to do something brave for my mental health. I am planning a solo train journey from Chicago to San Francisco on the California Zephyr.
Why this matters to me:
Instead of a party or a traditional gift, I am asking for the gift of a "reset." I chose this destination because there is something deeply healing about the rhythm of a train and the vast, open landscapes of the American West. I need to see the mountains and the ocean to remind myself that the world is much bigger than the thoughts in my head.
How your donation helps:
Your support isn't just funding a ticket; it's helping me reclaim my sense of wonder. It's a way for me to say "yes" to myself and "no" to the isolation that depression tries to force on me.
Every dollar helps me get on those tracks and start this new chapter of healing. Thank you for seeing me and for helping me make this birthday the first one I truly look forward to.





  • San Francisco, CA, United States of America

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