WRITER’S STORIES
Each journey challenges me, changes me, and ultimately rewards me in ways I could not have anticipated.
Every time I lace up my hiking boots and set out for the mountains, I feel a surge of anticipation, much like when I open a new document on Medium. There’s something about standing at the base of a towering mountain or facing a blank page that fills me with a mixture of excitement and apprehension.
Each journey, whether it be on rocky paths or through lines of text, begins with a simple step forward accompanied by a simple thought: “Let’s see where this takes me.”
As I begin my hike, the path before me is often shrouded in mist, the peak nowhere in sight – similar to the initial stages of writing, where my ideas are muddled and my end goal unclear. “Is this really a good idea?” I ask myself as I face the steep inclines and the daunting task of organizing my thoughts into a coherent narrative.
“What if I don’t find anything new to say?” The self-doubt is as real as the rugged terrain under my feet.
However, as I persist, the path gradually becomes clearer. With each step uphill, I find my rhythm, and similarly, each sentence crafted brings me closer to clarity in my writing.
“Just focus on the next line, the next step,” I tell myself, pushing through the initial resistance.
This mantra helps me overcome the toughest parts of both my hike and my drafts. It’s all about momentum, about pushing forward even when the peak seems unreachable.
The solitude of hiking allows me to delve deeper into my thoughts, much like the solitary nature of writing.
As I ascend, surrounded by nothing but the sound of my breath and the rustle of leaves, I enter into a dialogue with myself. “Why am I here? What am I hoping to discover?” These questions echo in my mind, guiding my hiking and writing journeys. In both scenarios, it’s a quest for discovery – of the self and of the world around me.
Occasionally, I stop to catch my breath and look back at how far I’ve come, taking in the view. In writing, these moments occur when I pause to read over what I’ve written. I assess the structure, refine the flow, and ensure that each paragraph leads logically to the next.
“Does this piece convey what I feel? Is the emotion palpable?” Just as I gauge the stability of the trail behind me, I ensure the stability of my narrative structure.
Nature’s unpredictability is another element that hiking and writing share. Just as a sudden change in weather can force me to alter my hiking route, unexpected insights or feedback can shift the direction of my article.
“This isn’t working. Maybe I should approach this from a different angle,” I think when a particular section feels as insurmountable as a steep, slick rock face.
Flexibility and adaptability are key in both arenas; they are the skills that help me navigate through unexpected challenges.
The summit of the hike is not unlike the conclusion of an article. There’s a profound sense of accomplishment in reaching the top of a mountain, just as there is in concluding a piece of writing.
The journey’s end provides a moment of reflection. “What have I learned? How have I changed?” These reflective questions are crucial.
In writing, they help me understand the deeper significance of my narrative, while in hiking, they connect me to the larger journey of life.
Yet, reaching the summit or the end of an article isn’t the end of the journey – it’s preparation for the next.
Each hike and each piece written sharpens my skills, making me more prepared for the next challenge.
“Next time, I’ll start stronger,” or, “I’ll take a different path,” are thoughts that propel me forward, eager for new adventures.
Moreover, sharing the experience is part of both journeys. Just as I might share tales of my hike with friends, publishing on Medium allows me to share my stories with a wider audience.
The feedback, whether it comes in the form of comments from fellow hikers about a hidden trail or readers discussing a point I made, enriches the experience.
It’s about community, learning from each other, and growing together.
In retrospect, both hiking and writing are about exploration and expression. They are about setting out with a goal, facing difficulties, adapting to them, and emerging stronger and more insightful. They demand resilience, perseverance, and a constant curiosity about what lies around the next bend or in the next paragraph.
So, why is writing on Medium like mountain hiking?
Because each is a journey of discovery that challenges me, changes me, and ultimately rewards me in ways I could not have anticipated.
Both are journeys I undertake with a deep breath and a bold step forward, knowing that the path will be anything but straight, the views will be worth the climb, and the stories I bring back will be worth every step.
Each word I write, like each step I take, brings me closer to understanding the landscapes of the world and of my own inner mind.
It’s an ongoing process of mapping uncharted territory, where every finished piece or conquered trail marks a point on my personal map, but also a starting point for new explorations.
The parallels between hiking and writing extend into the experiences themselves.
In both, there are moments of sheer joy, like finding a breathtaking vista or the perfect metaphor, alongside periods of struggle, like battling through a difficult climb or a complex argument.
Each element contributes equally to the richness of the experience.
On the trail, the environment constantly shifts – a serene forest path opens up to a rugged, rocky ascent. Similarly, in writing, the tone and style can shift from reflective and introspective to critical and analytical.
“Adapt and overcome,” I remind myself when the terrain or the topic gets tough.
This flexibility is not just a skill but a necessity, allowing me to navigate through varied landscapes and literary challenges.
Companionship is another aspect that brings both experiences closer.
Just as a hiking buddy can offer support, share the load, or boost morale, fellow writers and readers on Medium provide similar companionship.
They offer encouragement, share insights, and challenge my perspectives, enriching my journey.
“Look at this view! Have you seen this angle before?” Whether discussing a physical landscape or an ideological viewpoint, the exchange is invaluable.
Moreover, both hiking and writing are forms of personal expression that connect me to others who share similar passions.
They are ways to communicate not just ideas, but emotions and experiences, bridging gaps between people of different backgrounds and cultures.
Through sharing my hikes and my writings, I invite others into my world, just as I step into theirs through their shared stories and trails.
Each hike ends with a descent, a return to the familiar, yet I am not the same person who started the climb.
Similarly, each article I publish marks a return to the beginning, to another blank page, but I am richer for what I have written, changed by what I have expressed and learned through the process.
“What’s next?” isn’t just a question but a call to action, an invitation to begin again, to explore anew.
The satisfaction derived from both writing and hiking does not just stem from reaching a physical or metaphorical peak, but from the journey itself.
The act of moving forward, of creating and expressing, is as fulfilling as the achievements that punctuate these efforts. It is a continuous cycle of striving, achieving, reflecting, and striving again.
And so, as I unlace my boots or hit the ‘publish’ button, I feel a sense of completion coupled with anticipation for the next adventure.
The trails I’ve hiked and the articles I’ve written are part of a larger journey – one that stretches out invitingly, filled with unknown challenges and untold stories.
In the end, whether I am tying my hiking boots or sitting down to write, I am embarking on a quest not just to explore the physical and intellectual landscapes but also to understand and articulate my place within them.
Each step, each word, is a testament to the journey – a journey of constant learning, discovery, and expression.
And just like the mountain trails, the paths of words are infinite; there are always higher peaks to scale and deeper truths to uncover.
This parallel journey of hiking and writing on Medium is a profound reminder of the endless potential for growth and the enduring joy of exploration.
Dr. Mazlan Abbas 