After several days of hiking in the wilderness, devoid of any signal, my mind wandered to thoughts of quitting my job, the bustling life in New York, and the conflicting, guilt-laden feelings that arise from viewing hiking as a form of consumption. Yet, I didn’t reach any conclusions. Having once been a workhorse myself, I couldn’t bear to see an actual horse carrying my luggage, its head bowed low, silently enduring the climb up the mountain—it was simply too heart-wrenching.
At times, socializing with a group of white people feels eerily similar to being at work. However, those years spent in corporate America did teach me some valuable skills, such as swiftly identifying and connecting with like-minded individuals within a sea of generic white faces planning someone’s wedding.
Camping beneath a snow-capped mountain was an experience that transcended anything I could have imagined. Through the profound interaction with nature and diverse individuals, I regained a sense of vitality and drive—qualities I must cherish and not squander entirely on work.
