Finding Perspective from Mountain Views and a Garden’s Roots
The Connection between Physical Exhaustion and Mental Clarity
There's something about gaining physical elevation that offers clarity about life's challenges. This week, I found myself reflecting on perspective, not just the visual kind you get from mountaintops or from pottering around in the garden, but the mental kind that helps us navigate life's ups and downs.
I was watching a YouTube video recently from the Scotland's Mountains channel. The host completed a round of the Cairngorms over Easter, and it was absolutely beautiful, fantastic scenery that made me miss Scotland terribly, even while I remain grounded in my life here in the Netherlands (probably the flattest part of Europe). Over three days, he climbed the highest peaks of the Cairngorms, and it brought back powerful memories.
I remembered doing almost the same route years ago: five tops, 40 kilometers on the western side. That was my last major climbing expedition before moving to Europe. What particularly struck me wasn't just the nostalgia, but a specific memory from my first time up Cairngorm itself.
The Superpower of Perspective
I had walked across the plateau and sat down to look over the 500-meter-high cliffs. Far below, I could see tiny white dots that I eventually realized were moving sheep, literally appearing as mere pixels from my vantage point.
At that time in my life, I was experiencing some difficulties, mostly of my own making (though I have no regrets). That moment, perched high above those miniature sheep, gave me a genuine epiphany about what truly matters in life. I knew then that my current troubles didn't matter in the grand scheme of things; everything would eventually work out. It always did.
I was 34 or 35 then, and yes, deep in financial trouble, but in that moment of clarity, I understood that these problems would eventually be resolved. It might take years (it took me about 15 years before everything was squared away), but I've tried to maintain that perspective ever since.
Keeping a good perspective is truly a superpower, much like active listening. It's about knowing when things need attention and recognizing that even when they don't get that attention, it's rarely the end of the world. Life continues, and somehow, we make it through.
This mindset has served me well. It doesn't matter what's happening in life or your writing career; maintaining perspective helps us weather storms and appreciate the calm periods all the more.
Mental Clarity Through Physical Exercise
Speaking of perspective, I've noticed something interesting about my exercise habits: I’m addicted to training at the gym. I almost start to feel guilty if I miss a scheduled day. I don't train daily, but I do it three times a week: Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday mornings. Why only three days a week? Give an old man a break, I’m 65 in a few weeks after all.
For good reasons, I couldn't train on Friday this week, and Saturday (yesterday) was fully booked with family activities. So this cool late spring morning, I cycled the seven kilometers to the gym, did a double training session, and cycled back. Usually, I would combine training with swimming, but I skipped the swimming today, as I was already cream-crackered (translate as knackered or completely exhausted).
Yet something remarkable happened on my ride home. While physically drained, I found myself mentally alert with surprising clarity. I could suddenly think clearly and see things in their true light. It's this interesting dichotomy: physical exhaustion somehow clears mental fog.
This mental clarity led me directly to thinking about this week's article. Writing regenerates, both physically and mentally, and I feel rejuvenated whenever I write. I can be anything from Substack posts to flash fiction or longer-form writing projects.
I'm using my usual approach with this piece. I'm dictating it first, and then the raw transcript will go into Claude, which tidies it up and organizes it into a more logical flow. I could do this myself, of course, but it would take a couple of hours. Why bother when Claude can rewrite my words, remove mistakes, and produce a really good first draft? As soon as I finish dictating, I'll export, process, edit, edit again, and then publish it. I’m always careful that only my words are used in the final piece; they’re just tidied up and reorganized a bit.
Keeping Grounded with Small Pleasures
As I dictate this, I'm looking at the peonies in my garden, which are gorgeous this year. They’re so beautiful that I think they'll be the feature photo for this article. The rhododendrons on the other side of the garden are still lovely too, though the flowers are past their best. We also have a gorgeous rose that's blooming fantastically.
There's a special pleasure in having a small garden. It's not very big; our backyard is between 12 and 15 meters square - not much, but enough. It's our little place where we feel at home and grounded.
Interestingly, I haven't stayed in any other place as long as I have here. Before moving to this house, the longest I'd lived anywhere was about six years. Mostly, I moved every few years—my father was in the Air Force, and I followed that path too, which explains a lot of the frequent relocations.
This house isn't so small by Dutch standards, though it would be considered relatively modest in neighboring countries like Germany or Belgium. But we're happy here. It provides the grounding we need to maintain perspective on everything else.
Final Thoughts
Perspective comes in many forms: from mountain heights that make our problems look as small as distant sheep, to the mental clarity that follows physical exertion, to the grounding effect of a modest garden that we call home. These different angles of seeing our lives help us navigate challenges with more wisdom and less anxiety.
I've learned that maintaining perspective is a practice, not a one-time achievement. Whether it's financial difficulties that take years to resolve or the simple pleasure of watching peonies bloom in a garden you've tended longer than any other place you've lived, perspective allows us to appreciate where we are while understanding that nothing, good or bad, lasts forever.
This awareness doesn't solve our problems, but it makes them more manageable. And sometimes, that's all we need to keep moving forward with confidence rather than fear.
Until next week, guys, take care. Have a good, productive, or relaxed week ahead, and I'll talk to you all next week.
Late note. I asked Claude to critique the final draft. The main criticisms were that some of the transitions could be smoother and better handled. It also advised strengthening connections to writing themes, both of which are fair points.
But it is what it is, I’m sure you’ll forgive me.