5 lessons I've learned from growing up near the mountains

I think it can be pretty easy to take what is familiar for granted and I’m certainly no exception to this. I grew up next to the Canadian Rocky Mountains and now that I live in the UK I can truly recognise how magnificent where I grew up was from a semi-outsider point of view. Although I don’t live there permanently anymore, there are a few life lessons I’ve picked up from my time there and are transferrable to other aspects of daily life.

Embracing Stillness & Silence

I love taking time to be out in nature especially after a busy week. Silence can help calm the mind and be more in touch with how you are feeling while being still can help you be more aware of your surroundings. By doing these things I may hear the birds singing more clearly or see a small wildflower which might’ve gone unnoticed otherwise. I find that embracing stillness and silence help me appreciate where I am in that moment much more than I would otherwise and are easily applicable to any surrounding.

Modesty

The mountains humble you with their sheer size and it’s very clear how small you are amongst them. It also reminds you that not all great things are man-made or manipulated. I think modesty is a really good quality to have as it keeps you grounded and aware of where you are, who you’re around, and also what you can personally achieve.

The best things in life are free

Spending time with good company and the experiences we have always outweigh material goods for me. Being out in nature rejuvenates the mind and often leaves me feeling awestruck, more motivated and clear minded.

Patience

Good things come to those who wait and/or persevere. It takes time to climb up a mountain and in some cases you need to train to achieve what you’re setting out to do. Not to mention the feeling of euphoria when you finally finish a task, whether that’s summiting a mountain and seeing the expansive view after hours of hiking or completing a project for work.

Not everything is in your control

Mother nature is unpredictable, yes you can check the forecast before heading out but the weather can have a mind of its own and be totally different from what you saw or originally prepped for. This holds true in life, you can do your absolute best to prepare and predict for a scenario but things will not always go according to plan. What matters is being able to identify what factors are in your control and being able to think on your feet to safely navigate any changing conditions.