SHY Girl ~ Shy World’s Little Sister Elayna
our last shy girl interview for the year and who better to choose than my own sister. we’ve done 8 shy girl interviews this year and i can’t wait for what’s in store 2026. elayna is my younger sister and also best friend who loves to travel as much as me. she is everything brilliant and amazing in life and y’all are lucky to be getting more of her city guides.
i love her dearly and always look to her for some new inspiration or wisdom in life. she just came back from paris for her birthday and is already jetting off to morocco for christmas. we’re lying in my bed in my apartment eating candy as we write up this post. then i’ll be dropping her at the airport so who else channels shy world so well?
give us the 411. who is elayna tian?
hi! i’m a 26 year old software developer and yes davina’s right i love to travel- which means i love her brand shy world. i’m at a point in my life where i’m really prioritizing travel and my goal is 30 countries by 30 years old! i love my cat Arty, hosting good dinner parties, movie theatre field trips, a really good matcha and collecting infinite tattoos. i also read a lot (i’m currently in three book clubs) and love to eat new foods!
what are your favourite things that inspire you?
meeting people from all over the world and doing things out of my comfort zone while traveling has really inspired me to keep growing my confidence and expanding my worldview! movies are also a big source of inspiration for me- perfect days by wim wenders especially (my favourite one!). it really motivated me to shift my perspective on life to not only look forward to the fun times in the future, but to appreciate the beauty in the mundane of the present. it’s a movie i highly recommend!
where are three of your absolute favourite travels and why?
i love this question! i’d have to say so far it’s kyoto, shanghai, and madeira. kyoto is my absolute favourite city in the world. i love the abundance of green there- in the nature and in the matcha! it felt like i was transported to a studio ghibli movie and i adore japanese food. shanghai will always hold a specific place in my heart since our family is chinese. it’s filled with so many cute shops and cafes, but also historic charm and crazy skyscrapers. and madeira is just so cool- the perfect combo of hawaii and portugal vibes!
what’s the best advice that you ever received from someone?
“the only person who has to live your life is you” - that’s really helped me work through my social anxiety and people pleasing tendencies through the years! just focus on yourself and base your choices on what’s best for you- because who knows you better than yourself?
what are some things you love but are shy about?
i think the only thing i love that i’m shy about are my tattoos! i know tattoos aren’t everyone’s cup of tea and mine are a mix of ones with personal meaning and ones that i just liked the look of. when i’m covered up most people wouldn’t guess that i’m at 48 tattoos and counting!
what are 3 essentials for travel and your best tips?
my 3 essentials are my portable charger (self explanatory), my baggu crossbody (holds everything!), and my touchland hand sanitizer (planes and trains are so dirty!). my favourite tips are:
if going somewhere new, look up the national (or most popular) dish and make sure to try it at least once!
when planning your itinerary give yourself a free day at the end of the trip to add in anything you missed or stumbled across earlier
when you’re unsure of what to wear due to weather or vibes- google a popular restaurant there and check the most recent image reviews to see what the girlies are wearing :)
if you’re absolutely completely stuck between 2 choices (ie for stays, methods of transpo, flight routes) - go with the more convenient one always! i’ve learned that when i choose the slightly cheaper less convenient option during planning, i always always end up regretting it when i’m actually traveling
love,
elayna