I may have become what I feared. I did not believe it until I went, but Disney truly is the most magical place on earth.

Stepping into the parks makes me feel so far from the stress and worries of the world. I get to spend a few days pretending I live in a gorgeous, walkable city surrounded by people who are also just trying to enjoy life. And we all know we have at least a foundational love for Disney. For a brief moment, I get to pretend that walking well over 20,000 steps a day is my normal and that it’s actually part of my everyday routine. And honestly, it’s fun!

At Disney, I’m not the girl who feels stuck in a job that makes her feel so small or overwhelmed. Instead, I’m just someone who’s living in the present moment. I’m not caught up in the pressures of the future or in worries about things I can’t control. Instead, I can focus on the simple joy of nostalgia, looking back at the movies and characters that have shaped my childhood and beyond.

And there’s something so magical about that feeling. At Disney, I get to smile uncontrollably when I see my favorite characters, whether I believe they’re real or not (they are, obviously!). There’s no pressure to be anything other than myself in that moment, and it’s honestly refreshing.

Yes, I may have become a Disney adult. But I am also rediscovering a sense of wonder and joy in the world that’s so easy to lose track of in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. I’m embracing nostalgia and finding magic in the simplest things, and I’ll happily keep doing that as long as I can.