I Conquered The Mountain

By Saloni Jain

I am a person who thinks deeply about everything. While this often helps me gain better understanding and make clear decisions, it also leads to nightmares, depression, stress, and overwhelming anxiety. Recently, I found myself caught in a relentless cycle of overthinking. Every bad memory from my past and present haunted me, giving me a hard time. It started with a string of failures that chipped away at my confidence—missed opportunities at work, friendships that faded without explanation, and a painful breakup that left me questioning my self-worth. Each night, as I lay in bed, my mind replayed these moments in a torturous loop, dissecting every detail and amplifying my regrets. My life had devolved into endless Instagram scrolling and junk food binges, a desperate attempt to escape my thoughts. The more I tried to distract myself, the deeper I sank into a mire of self-doubt and despair. 

One day, while mindlessly scrolling through Instagram, I stumbled upon a post about a trekking trip for solo travelers happening that weekend. Something inside me—perhaps my love for nature—pushed me to consider it. Despite the fact that it would be my first trek, and one of the toughest winter treks in the state, my desperate mind latched onto the idea. Without overthinking for once, I decided to go with the flow. 

The journey began from Delhi with an overnight bus ride to Chopta. On the bus, I met fellow solo travelers, each with their own unique story. Listening to them provided a brief respite from my spiraling thoughts, but the unwelcome mental chatter persisted. 

As the trek began the next day, I faced numerous difficulties. My confidence waned with each steep incline and the thinning air made breathing a struggle. My heart pounded with exertion and fear, each step feeling like a monumental task. The path was rugged, with sharp rocks jutting out and loose gravel threatening to throw me off balance. The cold, biting wind whipped against my face, adding to the challenge. I felt my resolve slipping away, but I pushed through. Reaching the summit was an arduous task, and I often felt on the brink of giving up. When I finally arrived, the view was mesmerizing. The vast expanse of snow-capped peaks stretched out before me, bathed in the golden glow of the setting sun. For a brief, blissful moment, the breathtaking scenery washed away my worries. Nature’s beauty overwhelmed me, filling me with a rare sense of peace. 

Dear Diary, 

Today was a rollercoaster of emotions. At one point during the climb, exhaustion hit me hard. My legs felt like lead, and every breath was a struggle. My mouth was dry, and I had no water left. Despair set in, wrapping around me like a suffocating blanket. Just then, a stranger appeared. He wore old, unclean clothes and torn slippers. His dark red eyes and tangled hair made me wary, and his slight limp added to his rough appearance. My mind, already fraught

with anxiety, raced with judgments and fears. The thoughts came fast and furious: “What if he’s dangerous?” “What if he has ill intentions?” But then, he did something unexpected. He offered me water, and helped me replenish my supply. 

This act of kindness from someone I had misjudged humbled me profoundly. It shattered my prejudices and reminded me that true beauty lies within. This stranger, despite his worn appearance, had a kind heart and a compassionate nature. As he handed me the water, our eyes met, and I saw the depth of his own struggles and resilience. It was a silent, shared understanding that we were both fighting our own battles. He taught me the invaluable lesson of looking beyond appearances and appreciating the essence of people. 

Later, as I reflected on this encounter, my nose began to tingle. A sudden, sharp pain made me wince, and when I rubbed it, I noticed blood on my hand. Panic surged through me, fear gripping my heart with icy fingers. Blood has always terrified me, and seeing it now was overwhelming. My vision blurred as tears welled up, and my breaths came in short, ragged gasps. I tried to calm myself and sat on a nearby stone, feeling helpless and vulnerable. I could hear my heart pounding in my ears, and a sense of dread washed over me. 

A group of people noticed my distress and rushed to help. They wore matching leather jackets and had a tough demeanor, which initially made me apprehensive. But as they drew closer, I saw the kindness in their eyes and the warmth in their smiles. They weren’t a gang, but a group of friends bonded by their love for nature and adventure. Their selflessness and care provided me with much-needed support. One of them gently dabbed my nose with a cloth, while another offered me water and encouraging words. Their presence felt like a lifeline, pulling me back from the edge of my panic. 

This trip, with all its unexpected challenges and encounters, has been a revelation. I’ve realized that the world is filled with positivity and kindness, but I had been too consumed by negativity to see it. The news and social media often amplify conflict and tragedy, making it easy to lose sight of the good. But this journey showed me that a shift in perspective can uncover the beauty and compassion around us. The mountains, the strangers, the camaraderie—they all reminded me of the inherent goodness in people. 

Keep those positive goggles on, and you’ll find that life is much brighter than it seems. 

This trek made me confront the real mountain I needed to conquer: my own negative mindset. The obstacles I faced weren’t just the physical challenges of the trek, but my internal doubts, fears, and insecurities. Each step towards the summit was a step towards overcoming these mental barriers. As I climbed higher, I felt the weight of my worries begin to lift, replaced by a growing sense of accomplishment and clarity. I realized that the real journey was within me. By conquering my inner turmoil, I conquered the mountain.

By Saloni Jain