How trekking changed my attitude towards life
Pampering myself with all the worldly pleasures made me happy until trekking happened to me. I had done my first Himalayan trek at the age of 16, and I always wanted to come back to the Himalayas. Over the time priorities had changed and making a decent career had taken a front foot. As soon as I realise that I need to keep all my passions alive, I started trekking again. I gave break to badminton, dance, weekend get togethers and road-trips and took long leaves to head to the mountains. I got addicted to this adventure.
Trekking - adventure for deeper meaning to life
My initial couple of treks were more about taking pride in the sense of achievement. The more i trekked and spent time in the mountains, the more I realised that I don’t need materialistic frills to be happy. I was my happiest self living out of a backpack in the toughest conditions. I literally lived with basic necessities - food, clothes, shelter (tent). Nothing more! I carry my own backpack while i climb and every ounce counts at those high-altitudes where the oxygen levels drop to just survival. 
Trekking - adventure for deeper meaning to life
I needed more utility clothing than any fashionable clothes. I carried only the survival gears. 4 pairs of clothes to last for 10 days. None of the brands made sense there. I didn’t take bath for all these 10 days and I looked the freshest, my skin glowed, my hair shined without any professional styling products that I was used to otherwise. 
Trekking - adventure for deeper meaning to life
The simple eggs, rotis, veggies, dal chawal, tasted so much better in these altitudes, which none of the fine dining in the cities could match upto. I loved taking the trails where no vehicle or human would reach. I got addicted to freedom, space and pollution free environment. 
Trekking - adventure for deeper meaning to life
The life-threatening problems I faced on the treks made all the problems we face in our daily lives look so small, that I stopped worrying about them altogether. But i was happy, everyday! Doing things I love made me happy and not buying things, I realised! 
Trekking - adventure for deeper meaning to life
And this realisation proved costly too. High rise buildings and malls looked depressing to me. I need lot of space to gaze my eyes around. I felt restricted on the roads stuck in the traffic jams. I need my freedom to move around as per my will and choice. Pizzas and burgers no more satisfied my taste buds. I craved for the fresh basil, mint, spinach straight from the organic lands. Working from desk in a virtual world didn’t motivate me at all. I got used to sensing life with real human connect. 
Trekking - adventure for deeper meaning to life
I stopped buying unnecessary things, I would buy only what I needed. I stopped buying plastic completely. I would carry my own cotton bags to grocery shopping. I walked more to minimise the use of petrol. I cooked my own food and stopped eating out frequently. I kept a check on my drinks too because I started aiming for tougher treks each time and fitness was of prime importance. I started saying no to every party so that I could save for my treks and international travels.
I very smoothly transited to a phase of minimalistic living without me even realising about it. When I sensed I was already in "THE PATH", life seemed more meaningful and beautiful. 
Trekking - adventure for deeper meaning to life
Read my other posts on "QUITTING MY JOB" series:
19 Comments
11/19/2016 15:02:46
Brilliant article Medhavi!!! Great going... 11/26/2022 19:52:47
Thanks a lot Gautham,
Gautam Sharma
11/21/2016 11:49:50
Awesome Medhavi!! You really are an inspiration. Keep Rocking!!! 11/26/2022 19:52:20
Absolutely. And like I recently heard somewhere, Magic happens once you get out of your comfort zone
jayesh kotecha
11/21/2016 12:13:26
its very tough decision for a well paid employee working with MNCs like TCS, INFOsys. 11/26/2022 19:51:31
I really hope it stays this way, now that we both have chosen a similar path. 11/25/2016 12:15:43
So echo with everything you say here. Three cheers to you Medhavi. 11/26/2022 19:50:49
Thanks a lot Rajiv! your words are motivating :)
vrangler
5/18/2018 11:32:09
Very Inspiring Story!
Jayesh Shah
10/23/2019 21:02:24
This is your third article that I read back to back. Amazing seems to be easy to say when one reads you. Minimalistic is probably not in many people mind. I marked your site to my young son of 18 to share in your evident pride and growing up. He has had to recently give up on his dream of Table Tennis simply because it is not that easy to make it to the number one and I am helping him to see that there are so many other opportunities for someone who wishes to look not in the traditional areas. Bravo and keep doing what you like. Seems natural to you. You are surely Blessed. 11/26/2022 19:50:14
Hi Jayesh, 11/14/2023 11:22:52
Thanks for sharing your trekking story! It sounds amazing. I agree that nature can teach us a lot about life. Your words about gratitude and enjoying the moment are so true. Keep sharing your adventures! 6/12/2024 12:45:41
What a beautiful and inspiring journey! Your story captures the transformative power of trekking perfectly. As a travel agency, we love seeing how the mountains can bring deeper meaning to life. Thank you for sharing your experience and encouraging others to find joy and simplicity in adventure! Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
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Author
Namaste! I'm Medhavi Davda.
I travel to Evolve.. In Nature, I confide.. I find my calling in the Himalayas.. In the Oceans, I meditate.. A High-Altitude Trekker & PADI certified SCUBA Diver, I love exploring the heights and depths of the planet with my regular doses of mountains and oceans. Discovering myself & life through nature, adventures, travels, sports and dance has been an addiction since my existence! Quite fond of the natural & cultural diversity of India, I've travelled extensively in my own country before exploring international destinations. I had left my 9+ yrs of career in Software Industry in a quest to make a living out of my passions. I packed my basics in my car (gave away the rest) and lived in different parts of Himachal Pradesh for 16 months. This invaluable time taught me to experience life from a broader perspective. I'm currently living in Mumbai to work with an Adventure Travel company as a product manager for Scuba Diving. I continue living a minimalistic life. RavenousLegs on InstagramRavenousLegs on FacebookRavenousLegs on TwitterRecent PostsAbu Dhabi's Renowned Liwa Date Festival
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