How Nepal Saved My Life: A Journey From Rock Bottom to Redemption

A few years ago, I hit rock bottom. I had dropped out of university, felt hopeless about finding a job, and watched my dreams slip further away with each passing day. Life seemed to be moving on without me, and all I could do was watch from the sidelines. I was stuck — overwhelmed by failure, lost in despair, and too afraid to move forward.

I had one last hope: a working holiday visa to New Zealand. It was my ticket out. But, like so many others, I faced fierce competition, and the chances of success were slim. I applied multiple times. Each rejection felt like a punch to the gut. The year-long gap between attempts only deepened my sense of failure.

I was drowning in disappointment, unable to see beyond the weight of my failures.

The Moment I Hit My Lowest Point

Arriving in Nepal, I thought I had everything figured out. I had $200 worth of Indian Rupees, carefully withdrawn in India, confident that I had planned every detail. But when my plane landed in Kathmandu, I learned a hard truth: Indian Rupees were worthless here.

I was devastated. With no money and no plan B, I sat on the steps of the airport, tears streaming down my face. Travelers passed me by, none offering help. One man asked if I was okay, but I could only nod, too choked up to speak.

I cried until I had no tears left, before forcing myself to stand up and leave the airport. Outside, taxi drivers surrounded me, but every time I asked if they would accept Indian Rupees, the answer was no.

I must have asked a hundred drivers before one finally agreed to take me to Thamel Street, where I could exchange my Rupees. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to give me a glimmer of hope.

Why Travel Saved Me

That moment in the airport marked the beginning of my journey, not just through Nepal, but into the unknown corners of my own mind. When life gets hard, it’s easy to want to run away. But escaping isn’t the same as growing. Travel — real travel — forces you to confront uncertainty and discomfort head-on.

For years, I had avoided my fears. After failing in university, I skipped classes and avoided exams. After struggling to find a career, I ran back to my small hometown, hiding from everyone and everything. I spent an entire year isolating myself, hoping that somehow, time would heal me. But it didn’t.

That year was a living hell. Every day, I wished I could escape — in my sleep, or forever. I hated myself, hated my life. But I didn’t know how to change it.

Why I Stayed in Nepal for Three Months

Nepal forced me to do what I’d avoided for years — to face my demons. There was no comfort here, no safety net. Every challenge pushed me further. But there was one thing I couldn’t do: stop.

I booked a bed in a mixed dormitory at a youth hostel, filled with fellow travelers. I planned to stay for just a week before heading to another country. But as the days passed, I met people who changed everything. We shared stories, laughter, and a sense of community I hadn’t felt in a long time.

I realized that my journey wasn’t about escaping. It was about confronting the mess I’d made of my life and moving forward.

Three months later, I was still in Nepal.

A Life Transformed

Looking back, I can see that my time in Nepal wasn’t just a detour. It was a transformation. It wasn’t easy. There were days when I wanted to give up. But those three months taught me something crucial: the only way out is through.

I didn’t find all the answers I was searching for. But I found the strength to keep going, to keep trying. I learned that it’s okay not to have everything figured out. What matters is to keep moving, even when you can’t see the way forward.

Stay tuned for the next chapter of my journey through Nepal...