Healing in Nature: Why I Asked Someone Else’s Story When I Couldn’t Continue Mine

Last Saturday, I had to make a hard choice: I canceled my solo hike due to a brewing storm. The winds were too strong, and safety had to come first. I was disappointed—frustrated even—but something inside me shifted when I decided to listen instead of climb. What I didn’t realize then was that this pause would open up a different path to healing—not mine, but someone else’s.

Instead of sulking, I turned to someone who’s found peace and strength through nature time and time again—my partner, Keen Reed. He has hiked some of the toughest mountains in the Philippines, from Mt. Guiting-Guiting (G2) in Romblon, known as the Galápagos of Asia, to the majestic and mysterious Mt. Madjaas in Antique. And now, he’s looking forward to conquering Mt. Mantalingahan in Palawan, one of the last frontiers of untouched wilderness.

Through his stories, I gained a deeper understanding of healing and the importance of grounding. And that’s the story I want to share with you today.

The Mountains as a Mirror: Why Healing Often Begins in Silence

When you’re surrounded by the noise of daily life—phones buzzing, deadlines looming, social expectations weighing you down—it’s hard to hear your own heart. But out in the wild, with nothing but the rustling of leaves and the crunch of your boots on earth, you finally listen.

That’s what happened to Keen.

“I didn’t hike to escape. I hiked to remember. To remember who I was before the pain, before the chaos,” 

He once told me while we sat watching the sunset from a nearby hill.

Mt. Guiting-Guiting (G2), known for its knife-edge ridges and punishing trails, wasn’t just a climb. It was a confrontation with fear, doubt, and everything he’d been carrying emotionally. That mountain forced him to slow down, take one step at a time, and reconnect with his breath. It grounded him—literally and emotionally.

Grounding Through Nature: It’s More Than Just Dirt Under Your Feet

Grounding, or earthing, is a practice where you physically connect to the earth’s energy—barefoot on soil, dipping in a river, or lying on the grass. While it might sound spiritual or “woo-woo” to some, it has actual psychological and emotional benefits.

Keen didn’t read about grounding in a book—he lived it.

• He bathed in rivers with water so cold it made his heart race.
• He slept under the stars, free from city lights and their artificial noise.
• He dug his fingers into the muddy trails of Mt. Madjaas, using roots and rocks to pull himself upward.

And through it all, something softened inside him.

Hiking Isn’t Just for Fitness—It’s for Feeling Again

Healing doesn’t come easily. It’s not just about “getting over” pain. It’s about getting through it, and sometimes you need nature to help carry the weight.

Here are a few reasons why outdoor adventures can be a balm for the soul:

1. Disconnection leads to reconnection.

When you’re out of signal, you’re finally in sync with yourself, with the world, with the moment.

2. Physical exertion clears emotional clutter.

Every sweat-drenched step becomes a symbol of releasing what no longer serves you.

3. Natural beauty creates natural gratitude.

Standing on a summit makes your problems feel smaller, not irrelevant, but manageable.

4. You learn patience.

Whether it’s waiting out a rainstorm or pacing your breath up a steep incline, nature teaches you how to be gentle with yourself.

The Healing Power of Mt. Madjaas: Lessons from Antique’s Hidden Giant

Mt. Madjaas, less touristy and more mystical, offered Keen something different. It wasn’t just the climb that changed him, but the stories he heard from the locals, the solitude of the forest, and the echoes of his own thoughts on the trail.

“It was there I realized—I wasn’t broken. I was tired. Nature didn’t fix me. It reminded me I could fix myself.”

And isn’t that what we’re all really seeking? Not instant solutions—but spaces to pause, reflect, and rediscover our strength.

What If You Can’t Hike? Here’s How to Let Nature In

Not everyone can go on week-long treks across islands. And that’s okay. You don’t need to summit a mountain to feel grounded.

Try these simple yet powerful grounding practices:

• Walk barefoot on the grass. Even five minutes a day can shift your mood.
• Visit a nearby park or beach. Sit. Breathe. Observe.
• Keep a small plant near your bed or workspace for a touch of nature. Talk to it. Yes, really.
• Start a nature journal. Write down things you notice in the sky, the leaves, and the weather.
• Unplug once a week. Let nature, not Netflix, be your weekend escape.

Healing isn’t always dramatic. Sometimes it’s quiet, slow, and made up of tiny, consistent choices.

Looking Ahead: Mt. Mantalingahan and the Mountains Yet to Heal

Keen is already planning his next adventure—Mt. Mantalingahan in Palawan. Known for its rich biodiversity and remote trails, it’s one of the few remaining unspoiled treasures in the country.

More than another tick on his hiking list, it’s a continuation of his healing journey. One more breath, deeper than the last.

And I’ll be cheering him on—not just because he’s my person, but because I know every trek he takes brings him closer to the version of himself that feels whole, grounded, and free.

Healing Isn’t Linear—But Nature Helps Smooth the Path

Some days you’ll be ready to climb the tallest peak. On other days, storms will stop you in your tracks. But both are valid. Both are part of the process.

So if you’re searching for healing, maybe it’s time to look outside—really look. There’s a trail waiting for you. There’s a tree with shade. A breeze with your name on it. A river that understands.

And maybe, like Keen, you’ll find that nature doesn’t just change your view—it changes you.

Ready to Begin Your Own Healing Adventure?

You don’t need to go far to start your journey. Begin with what’s around you. Find your patch of green, your stretch of blue sky. Let nature do what it does best—bring you back to yourself.

Key Takeaways:

• Healing often happens when we’re quiet enough to hear ourselves, and nature helps us get there.
• Grounding is more than just a buzzword; it’s a powerful way to reconnect with your body and mind.
• You don’t need to climb a mountain to feel nature’s benefits; start small and stay consistent.
• Mountains like Guiting-Guiting and Madjaas aren’t just places, they’re teachers.
• When life feels overwhelming, step outside. The earth knows how to hold what you can’t.

Have you ever experienced healing through nature? Share your story in the comments. Or better yet, plan your next hike, and see what your heart finds at the trail’s end.