The Mountains Taught Me More Than Any Classroom Ever Could
Hi, I’m Neha — born and raised in Pune, surrounded by hills but not really in them, not until much later. I grew up in a city that’s buzzing with energy, yet I often found myself craving something quieter, something deeper.
I didn’t know what exactly I was searching for — until
I met the mountains.
I wasn’t a trekker by background. My life was more about to-do lists, weekend plans, andstaying connected 24/7.
But somewhere along the way, I signed up for my first high-altitude
trek, and everything changed. Here’s what the mountains taught me — about mindset, about resilience, and about what
truly matters.
1. The Mountains Don’t Care Who You Are — And That’s Beautiful
The mountains are the ultimate equalizer. They don’t care about your job title, your social media following, or how many zeroes are in your bank account. All they demand is presence, humility, and grit.
That first realization stripped me down — in the best possible way. It forced me to show up as just Neha, nothing more, nothing less.
2. Mindset > Muscles
I’ve seen the fittest people break down and the most unassuming trekkers conquer steep slopes with a calm smile. In the mountains, your legs will get you started — but it’s your mind that’ll take you to the summit.
There were moments when my body screamed for rest, but my mind whispered, “Just a little more.” And surprisingly, that whisper was always
louder than the fatigue.
3. Slow is Strong
In our regular lives, we’re always in a rush — fast food, fast internet, fast answers. But the mountains taught me that slow is not weak. In fact, going slow — pausing to breathe, to observe, to soak in — builds endurance.
Whether it’s tackling a steep ascent or navigating a rocky descent, the steady ones always go far. This lesson has changed the way I live even
back home in Pune.
4. Discomfort is the Real Teacher
There’s nothing comfortable about waking up in freezing temperatures, sleeping in a tent, or walking in the rain for hours. But discomfort pushes you to adapt, to grow.
The first night I slept at altitude, I had a headache and a racing heart. I wanted to quit. But I didn’t — and the next morning, I woke up to a sunrise that made every ounce of discomfort worth it.
5. The Inner Voice Becomes Louder Up There
When you’re away from Wi-Fi, noise, and distractions, you start hearing your own thoughts more clearly. The mountains gave me the quiet I didn’t know I needed. In that quiet, I reflected, cried, smiled for no reason, and asked myself the questions I had been avoiding for years.
6. You’re Stronger Than You Think
This one hit me the hardest. At 4,000 meters, every step feels heavier. The air is thin, your legs are tired, and the path ahead looks endless. But somehow, one step at a time — you get there. That “one step at a time” mindset has helped me far beyond the trek.
Whether it’s work stress, personal hurdles, or moments of self-doubt — I remind myself: Just one more step, Neha. I now see the mountains not just as a destination, but as a mirror.
They reflected back a version of myself that I had never met — someone resilient, grounded, and quietly fierce. So if you’re on the edge, wondering whether to take that first trek, wondering if you’re fit enough, brave enough, enough — the answer is yes.
The mountains will meet you where you are. And they will leave you better than they found you.
