Skating Through the Unknown: Reflecting on a Milestone Trip

Universal Studios has always been a special place for me. Not quite my first love—Disney holds that spot—but more like a third home. It’s familiar, comforting, and full of memories. Recently, I went back with my parents to celebrate a milestone. It had been a long time since we’d gone together, and I thought the trip would be a perfect way to mark the occasion.

And it was, in many ways. We had fun, enjoyed the rides, and made new memories. But for me, the day was not just about the rides or the butterbeer. It was about everything I couldn’t stop thinking about—the emotions I carried into the park and the questions I could not quite shake.

The Emotions I Didn’t See Coming

If I am being honest, I may have been a little uptight that day (or the entire trip)—not because of anything anyone did, but because I was so in my own head. The trip was supposed to be celebratory, but I could not help feeling like I was skating on thin ice, balancing joy with the weight of my thoughts.

It’s strange, isn’t it? How you can be surrounded by people you love, in a place that’s designed to bring you happiness, and still feel like there is a wall between you and the experience?

Living With the Door Always Open

The truth is, I have been living with this open door to the unknown for a while now. It’s always there, just slightly ajar, letting in whispers of uncertainty.

What’s next? Will I get to celebrate another milestone? How do I balance the joy of the moment with the reality that the future is still so unclear?

These questions hung over me like a shadow during our few days at Universal. It wasn’t the park’s fault or my parents’. It was just me—trying to process the weight of the unknown while pretending everything was fine

The Mind and Its Tricks

The mind has a funny way of sabotaging itself. On the surface, everything was great. We were having fun. The weather was perfect. The lines weren’t too bad. But beneath it all, my thoughts were pulling me into that familiar spiral of "what ifs" and "what now."

What if this is the last milestone we get to celebrate together? What if I am not doing enough with the time I have?

The thing is, no one else noticed. So I smiled, went along with the day, and kept the swirling emotions to myself.

Reframing the Experience

Looking back, I realize I was too hard on myself. Yes, I was in my head, but that’s okay. The unknown is heavy, and it’s natural to feel its weight even in moments of joy. But that doesn’t mean the trip wasn’t meaningful.

If anything, the trip reminded me that the unknown is a part of life—and it’s not something I need to conquer or escape. It’s something I need to learn to coexist with.

The Unknown Isn’t Always Bad: Sure, it’s scary, but it’s also full of possibilities. That day with my husband, sister, and parents was a reminder that the unknown can bring unexpected joy.

It’s Okay to Feel Both Joy and Fear: Emotions don’t have to be all or nothing. I can celebrate a milestone and wrestle with uncertainty at the same time.

Cherish the Present, Even If It’s Imperfect: That day wasn’t perfect, but it was ours. And that’s enough.

Moving Forward, One Step at a Time

Universal may not be my favorite place (Disney will always win that battle), but it served its purpose. It gave me space to celebrate, reflect, and even wrestle with my emotions.

The unknown is still there, its door still open. I don’t have all the answers, and maybe I never will. But for now, I am choosing to focus on what I do know: I have milestones worth celebrating, memories worth cherishing, and loved ones who show up for me—even when I’m a little too caught up in my head.

To anyone else living with that open door to uncertainty, know this: you’re not alone. It’s okay to feel a little lost sometimes. It’s okay to celebrate even when things don’t feel perfect. And it’s okay to keep skating forward, even if you’re not sure what’s on the other side of that door.

Here’s to finding our way—one milestone, one moment, one uncertain step at a time.