The Journey Builds You
My first hike of the year took me back to a place I really love—one that has challenged me before: Mt. Kenya, Mackinders Camp. The first time was a DNF. This time around, I was determined to get there. I wanted to close this so bad.
The day started off perfectly. Beautiful weather, me—strong, energized, psyched up. As I climbed, altitude sickness started creeping in. I managed it and kept going until it hit me—really, really hard. I knew then that my chances of making it to the summit were gone, and for a moment, I felt sad. But then, something even deeper surfaced—my reasons for hiking have never been about summiting.
Hiking, for me, has always been a way to connect with the Universe—the divine force that is (what many call God). Out in nature, I align with something greater. I feel the energy of the mountains, the wind, the Sun, the altitude—all of it reminding me of the power of the Universe and bringing me closer to my higher self.
Nature has a way of reminding me that I am both strong and small at the same time. This hike wasn’t a setback; it was a refresher course in humility and surrender. And maybe you’ve felt that, too.
Maybe you’ve been showing up for yourself, putting in the effort, doing everything “right”—and then life throws something at you. Fatigue, stress, slow progress. Maybe you’ve hit a point where you feel like it’s not working, like you’re not getting there. But what if, like this hike, it was never just about the end goal?
What if the real win is in the showing up?
That’s the thing about building habits. It’s not about waiting for the perfect moment or feeling motivated every day—it’s about what you do when things aren’t easy. When you don’t feel like it. When progress is slow.
When challenges show up, keep showing up. Adjust course if you need to, but don’t stop. Because habits aren’t built in the big, grand moments—they’re built in the small, daily choices. The moments where you decide to keep going, even when it would be easier to quit.
I didn’t make it this time, but I’m not done. And neither are you. The journey still calls. So keep going—not just for the destination, but for everything the process is making you.
And that, for me—and maybe for you too—is everything.
