Breathing Was Hard, But Healing Was Harder: My Climb Up Mera Peak After Burnout

I didn’t climb Mera Peak to prove anything. I wasn’t chasing a record or a photo for Instagram. I just wanted to feel okay again.

After months of stress, no sleep, and fake smiles at work, I hit a wall. Burnout hit hard. I couldn’t think straight. I couldn’t feel much of anything. I needed space. Real space.

So I booked a flight to Nepal.

Why Mera Peak?

Mera Peak stands at 6,476 meters. It’s the highest trekking peak in Nepal. Every year, more than 2,000 climbers try to reach the top (Nepal Mountaineering Association, 2024). Most are not pro climbers. I wasn’t either.

I just needed something big. Something that felt far from emails and alarms and small talk.

Day One: Out of Breath, Out of My Head

At first, the trail felt calm. The air was clean. My phone had no signal. That alone felt like therapy.

But as we got higher, things changed. Breathing became harder. My legs ached. My body begged for rest. And weirdly, that was the best part because I couldn’t think about anything else. No work. No worries. Just one step, then another.

The Hard Parts

Altitude sickness hit me on day four. I couldn’t sleep. I had a headache that felt like a hammer. I wanted to quit.

But quitting felt too close to how I had lived back home giving up on myself.

So I stayed. I slowed down. I listened to my guide. I drank hot tea and kept moving.

The Summit: A New Breath

The final climb started at 2 AM. It was freezing. My hands were shaking. I was scared. But I kept going.

When I reached the top, I cried. Not just from joy but from relief. I had carried so much inside me for months. On that peak, it all cracked open. I could finally breathe not just with my lungs, but with my heart.

What I Learned

• Nature doesn’t rush. You don’t have to either.

• Struggle is part of healing.

• You are stronger than you think.

• Wifi won’t fix your burnout. Fresh air might.

Final Thoughts

Climbing Mera Peak didn’t “fix” me. But it gave me space to feel again. It reminded me that I’m still here. Still alive. Still trying.

If you feel stuck or tired or numb maybe don’t just take a break. Take a step. Maybe even a really high one.

Burnout drained me. Mera Peak gave me back my breath. And sometimes, that’s more than enough.