Self-indulgent "journey" NYT Crossword Clue
If you’re used to duking it out with NYT Mini puzzles, clues with quotation marks can be some of the trickiest. “Self-indulgent ‘journey’” lands squarely in that category—a phrase that feels both familiar and annoyingly vague when it’s all you have to go on. Plenty of solvers spun their wheels on this one, second-guessing what kind of journey the grid was after. It’s the sort of clue that’ll have you thinking literary for a hot second, but really, it’s all about ego.
Answer
The answer hiding in plain sight is EGOTRIP. All one word, seven letters. When your journey’s self-indulgent, it’s less about hitting the road and more about being way too into yourself—a classic crossword blend of a literal and slang meaning.
Explanation
Why EGOTRIP? Solvers know NYT loves double meanings, and “journey” in quote marks screams it’s not about buses or planes. In slang, if you’re on an ego trip, you’re basically wrapped up in yourself—taking a victory lap inside your own head. The grid might tempt you with “ODYSSEY” or “TOUR,” but if you track the crossers and look for the vibe NYT’s putting out, EGOTRIP fits naturally. There’s a bit of wordplay heat to it—a journey that’s really just you patting yourself on the back. That’s peak Mini energy.
Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers – August 2, 2025
Double-check your box fills for August 2. This grid handed out a couple gimmes and a few curveballs. Quick rundown for the record:
| TikTok or Tinder | Show |
| Lawyers' org. | Show |
| Place with Bunsen burners and beakers, in brief | Show |
| Product that can be sampled with a spray on the wrist | Show |
| Visibly muscular | Show |
| Groceries carrier | Show |
| Self-indulgent "journey" | Show |
| AOL alternative | Show |
| Things that phone users might accidentally tap on webpages | Show |
| Sports org. that now includes schools from Texas and California, strangely enough | Show |
| Hobbyists with cameras, informally | Show |
| Big name in exercise bikes | Show |
| "Solve for x" subject | Show |
| Temporary fix, so to speak | Show |
| Pres. Lincoln | Show |
| "Show me the ___" (punny request at an art museum) | Show |
| President pro ___ | Show |
| Road trip assistance, for short | Show |
About NYT Mini Crossword
There’s a reason the Mini keeps popping up for so many regulars. It’s done in minutes but not always easy—just a handful of clues, each one punched up for maximum trickiness. You’ll find pop slang, science-y nods, and answers like “EGOTRIP” that make you second guess even the obvious. This is the kind of daily puzzle that keeps solvers sharp, just the right mix of satisfaction and humble pie.
How to Solve a Crossword
Best advice? Dive in with whatever clue you know cold—there’s no prize for doing them in order. Get the crossings working for you, especially when clues are quirky or use quote marks. Sometimes, especially in the Mini, the “journey” is getting from zero to “EGOTRIP” without too many wild guesses.
Don’t be shy about erasing finding the right path is often a few wrong turns away. And if you stall, a breather clears things up; the brain’s weird that way.
Tips for NYT Mini Crosswords
Attack the easy wins first to get momentum.
Quotation marks in clues = wordplay. Don’t take the clue too literally.
When you’re stuck, picture the clue in context. “Journey” here wasn’t about travel at all.
Use crosses aggressively. If EGOTRIP fits letter-wise, it probably works even if it feels too “slangy.”
Stay loose: it’s a one-minute brain warmup, not a final exam.
