7 Years in Saudi

Just like the movie 7 Years in Tibet, my story mirrors the journey of someone obsessed with reaching the top, thinking that success would somehow make them feel whole. I ran away from my feelings, thinking that climbing the hardest mountain would silence my mind. I believed success would be the answer — the thing that would make me feel like enough.

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But then fate led me to a place, to a community, so different from anything I had ever known. I arrived in Saudi Arabia full of stereotypes, expecting a world vastly different from my own. But what I quickly learned was that habits don’t define who you are. The Saudi people taught me to focus on values, not on appearances or words. They showed me, time and again, that kindness is the highest form of human intelligence.

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The people here, with their deep sense of calm, brought me a tranquility I never knew existed. I couldn’t deny how genuine and peaceful they were, and that energy seeped into me, changing my view on everything. Through Saudi, I found the strength to let go of three major addictions — one of them was heavy smoking.

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Saudi Arabia also brought me back to my love for movement. I rediscovered sports, and to my surprise, I found joy in yoga, Zumba, and martial arts. Yes, who would have thought? They taught me how to fight — gently.

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But the transformation didn’t stop there. Saudi also brought me back to reading and studying. When I arrived in 2013, there was barely any television, no museums, or libraries... but there was YouTube. And there, I discovered a hunger for knowledge I hadn’t realized I had. I couldn’t stop learning, and I haven’t stopped since. Saudi Arabia gave me the space, the time, and the quiet to read, reflect, and truly understand the value of my time.

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It was in Saudi that I learned to appreciate time as the most precious gift. It taught me how to slow down, how to reflect, and how to embrace the beauty of learning. It made me realize that success isn’t just about climbing mountains, but about the moments of stillness, reflection, and growth that happen in between.

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And most importantly, Saudi gave me the return to myself. I learned how to dance in the rain... even if it doesn’t rain much here. Saudi taught me to appreciate the simple beauty of serenity, a peace that no amount of money can buy. It helped me find the perfume of tranquility that I now carry with me wherever I go.

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While I’ve now lived in Saudi for more than 7 years, it wasn’t until after this seven-year mark that I truly experienced the transformation. It’s as if seven years was the time it took for me to fully absorb the lessons, to feel the changes deep within me, and to begin living from a place of true clarity and peace.

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My time in Saudi was not just a chapter in my life — it was the reframing of my thinking, my soul, and my path. It was the place where I found real freedom, where I learned that success isn’t about climbing mountains but about finding peace in the quiet moments. And for that, I’ll forever be grateful.