Nature, Relationships, and the Journey of Self-Discovery

Dharani Bharat
3 min readOct 8, 2024

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As a traveler who has walked across the diverse landscapes of India, I’ve often found myself humbled by nature’s vastness, its quiet wisdom, and its ability to expose one’s vulnerabilities. It’s an experience that, to me, mirrors the deepest aspects of human relationships. Both nature and relationships invite us to confront our inner selves — our weaknesses, insecurities, and strengths — offering us a path to growth, if we are willing to see it.

During my cross-country walk, I was constantly reminded of how small we are in the grand scheme of things. India’s landscapes, from the rugged mountains to the open plains, don’t care about your personal triumphs or failures. They exist, indifferent yet beautiful, teaching you lessons in humility. In those moments of exhaustion or awe, you realize that nature reflects back at you the parts of yourself that you often try to hide or ignore. It makes you vulnerable, but it also offers you a profound sense of clarity.

In many ways, I believe this is what a relationship does too. As a social science teacher, I’m fascinated by the relationships between people, societies, and the environments they live in. Just as we adapt to and shape our environment, relationships shape us. I’m on the brink of a new journey — getting married soon — and the parallels between my adventures in nature and my relationship journey have become even clearer.

A true relationship, like a long walk through nature, exposes our vulnerabilities. It makes us see ourselves more honestly, whether we want to or not. In both cases, it’s not always easy. There are times in nature when you’re faced with a storm or a steep hill, much like in a relationship when difficult conversations arise or insecurities flare up. But if you’re willing to face it, nature — and love — offers you a chance to grow.

One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned from both is that growth doesn’t happen when things are easy. It happens when you confront the hard truths about yourself. Whether it’s nature showing you your physical limitations, or a partner holding up a mirror to your emotional vulnerabilities, these moments force you to be honest. And honesty, both with yourself and others, is the first step toward becoming a better person.

But here’s the thing: you can only see these lessons if you’re willing to see them. Many times, we walk through life — or relationships — on autopilot, avoiding the things that make us uncomfortable. But just as in nature, where you must look closely to see the beauty in small, overlooked details, you must be present and open in relationships to truly grow.

As I prepare for marriage, I’m taking these lessons to heart. I’ve learned that a partner, much like nature, isn’t there to simply make you comfortable. They’re there to challenge you, to help you see parts of yourself that you might not have seen otherwise. And while that can be uncomfortable at times, it’s also what makes relationships so transformative. They don’t just show you who you are — they show you who you can become.

In the end, both nature and relationships require vulnerability and openness. If you can embrace that vulnerability, if you can walk the path with your eyes and heart open, you’ll discover that these journeys — whether through the natural world or the world of love — offer you something far greater than comfort. They offer you the chance to become a better version of yourself.

And that, to me, is the greatest adventure of all.

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Dharani Bharat
Dharani Bharat

Written by Dharani Bharat

High School Teacher, Cyclist, Part Time Saint

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