The Mountains Told Me To Shut Up — And I Did | by Adrita Saha | Intersectionality

INTERSECTIONALITY

From the lens of a nineteen year old

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The mountains had their own way of speaking, I just learned to listen. Author’s image.

I recently travelled to the mountains after a long time and I realized I had almost forgotten how it feels to be amidst those giant mountains, the fresh breeze, the beautiful people and the absolutely mesmerizing greenery. Those long paths signifying endless possibilities, and the adorable fur babies that you just can’t go without petting.

It was a short trip but its impact was much bigger than had I imagined. It shifted something within me and I felt like sharing it.✨

Maybe it’s not as serious or philosophical as it sounds in my head, but I feel few journeys and experiences are worth sharing. This short trip wasn’t just a trip, it was an escape; a reminder of what I’m actually capable of doing, feeling, and of how good things can truly get. It was a much needed break.

Honestly, I was looking forward to this trip a little, almost like the last ray of hope to maybe heal myself, forget the burden and escape a little from everything I’d been dealing with. But, deep down I was sceptical about how much I’d actually be able to enjoy considering the weight of all the unnecessary pressure I was carrying. So, as usual, I didn’t expect much.

But you know what they say, “Good things happen when you least expect them.”🍃

The surprising part is that there was nothing extraordinary about this trip, but the way I perceived everything around me was. I remember sitting in the car when the first gust of wind hit me and, for a moment, I forgot everything. 😌🍃

The sight of giant mountains standing before me, filled me with immense hope that everything would eventually fall into its own place and for now, I just needed to sit back and let things flow. It almost felt like the mountains were telling me to be quiet so I could listen to it speak.

In that exact moment, the world outside seemed to stop and the world within me finally started to breathe.

I remember how much of a control freak I used to be, always trying to be in charge of everything around me, holding onto situations, getting attached to every little thing and especially being afraid of change. But all of that seemed to disappear once I stepped into a different environment.

I’ve always believed that mountains have a magical power to heal, and maybe they do, But more importantly they create a space for you to simple be: without rush, without having the need to figure everything out. They just let you breathe. Actually, if you observe closely, the world around you remains the same — the people, the river, the trees, the restaurants, the mountains, yet it’s you who feels differently every time.

Beyond the quiet, serene moments in nature, this trip became extra meaningful because I discovered something new about myself and my interests. I’m 19 (almost 20), so I’m always growing, exploring newer opportunities, looking forward to fresh experiences.

So, this time to make the trip more interesting I had planned to shoot small videos and clips as memories. I wasn’t quite focused on posting them or showing it to anyone, but my goal was simply to record moments for myself. It wasn’t as easy as I thought but it was definitely fun and interesting to execute. I didn’t have any fancy equipment, just my phone and the will to try something new. And, it turns out I genuinely enjoy and photography and videography.

I had always seen my friends and classmates talk about things they liked apart from their main career. I, on the other hand, was confused and scared not knowing what else I could enjoy or be good at. But, it turns out that I had never really paused, reflected or taken a step further to find out, unlike this time. And I have never been happier, because this time I could come back not only with memories but also with something new about myself.

This is why I love mountains: they never return you empty handed, whether it’s memories, friendships, clarity, or quiet reflection, they always give something that stays with you. ❤️

You’re probably wondering as to why I’m blabbering about my own journey on this platform and honestly, that’s a valid question. The answer is simple — I wanted to share this small journey of self reflection to remind people how experiences can change with age, and how differently things can appear when your outlook shifts.

When I was younger, my trips were all about good food, dressing up, dancing my heart out, talking to strangers and having fun in general. Now, as I’ve grown up it’s still all those things, the only difference is that now I feel every bit of it from the bottom of my heart. It’s not a ‘vacation’ anymore: it’s life, the actual life that I’m supposed to live and wake up to everyday.

The point is you will grow, discover and learn new things about yourself the moment you train your mind to be a little calmer and actually listen to those who really want to speak to you.

(Also, consider this as a little reminder to take a trip to the mountains😉🫶🏻🍃)

So, the next time you visit the mountains, the beach, the forest or any place that you truly connect to, just be still —perhaps in that quiet moment you will find the most transformative movement within yourself.

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