The Healing Power of Words- ‘The Mountain is You by Brianna Wiest’

I cried reading Brianna Wiest's introduction to The Mountain is You, and then I cried some more as I read the chapters.

Can a book change your life? This book did it for me. I’m healed-partly.

The Mountain is You is profound. It provokes your thoughts while delving into the intricacies of self-sabotage and emotional transformation.

In this case, the mountain metaphorically represents the emotional and psychological barriers we create within ourselves that hinder our journey to personal growth and success.

In summary, the author- Brianna Wiest, helps readers discover self-defeating behaviors, reminding us that we often know what’s good for us yet fail to act accordingly. She identifies the root causes of these patterns and shows how to confront them with patience and compassion.

I noted down a few things that spoke to me directly;

Perfectionism: Wiest explores how perfectionism can be a mask for deeper fears, such as the fear of failure or the fear of being seen as “less than.” Perfectionism, she argues, isn’t about having high standards — it’s often a form of self-sabotage. We set impossibly high expectations to avoid taking risks or putting ourselves out there.

Those go to authors, gamers, content creators, filmmakers, and coders; all started somewhere before they became as good. It is okay to start from scratch and be bad at something while allowing yourself to make minor improvements every day.

Learn to embrace imperfection and let go of the idea that we need to be flawless to be worthy or successful.

Self-Sabotage: The author insists that self-sabotage is often not a conscious choice but a manifestation of our unhealed wounds. Why do we cling to old habits even when they no longer serve us?

Often, it stems from unresolved trauma, fear of rejection, or a belief that we’re not deserving of happiness.

Why would I choose to party until 3 a.m. in the morning when, deep down, I know it serves me in no way? To keep up with trends? To keep in touch with friends?

We sabotage ourselves because we fear what lies on the other side of success, happiness, or emotional healing.

The author further insists that healing comes from understanding that these behaviors were once coping mechanisms that no longer serve us.

Letting Go of Control: Overcome the urge to control every aspect of your life. We fear the unknown and hold rigid expectations of how things “should” be.

The author notes that letting go of control is not a sign of weakness but strength. It’s about trusting that things will work out as they’re meant to and being open to new possibilities.

Embracing Discomfort: Growth is uncomfortable.

We tend to stay in a comfortable job, relationship, or career path because it feels familiar and safe.

Stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing new things can be very unsettling. From experience, I’d say it’s scary. This is because you are forced to put effort into something new without the assurance that it will work.

“The mountain is meant to be climbed. It is only by experiencing discomfort that we grow, evolve, and become the person we were always meant to be.”

The author’s message is clear; the biggest obstacle standing between you and the life you want is yourself. By facing your fears, letting go of perfectionism, and embracing the discomfort that comes with growth, you can overcome the mountain within.

The mountain may be difficult to climb, but the view from the top is worth it. Take a leap of faith and transform yourself into the person you were always meant to be.

Every chapter is like a therapy session. I recommend the book. A 10/10 read.