Pace Yourself Bruh: What Hiking In New Zealand Taught Me About Slowing Down
I always thought I had a pretty decent pace in life, even if some days felt like a mad dash, and I couldn’t seem to catch my breath. Dashing from the MRT to kopi runs at Market Street Hawker Centre, replying to messages while half-watching “Severance”, juggling work and social plans like an over-ambitious millennial trying to do it all.
But when my husband and I went hiking through New Zealand’s South Island, something shifted. Or rather – I did.
There’s something about standing in front of a snow-capped mountain or staring out over a mirror-like lake that makes your brain go, “Wait a minute… what’s the rush?” And that’s exactly what New Zealand gave me: a much-needed pause button in a world that rarely stops.
Here’s what each hike taught me about slowing down – and why I’m bringing that energy back to Singapore (even if the nearest “mountain” is Bukit Timah Hill).
No traffic, no phones, just birdsong on Motuara Island. | IMAGES: GWEN TAY
Motuara Island
We kicked off our trip with a boat ride to Motuara Island, which felt less like a hike and more like a gentle nudge into a slower pace of life. After a scenic boat ride from Picton (where, yes, we were lucky enough to see a school of dolphins up close!), we landed on a tiny island that’s a sanctuary for native birds and wildlife.
There’s a short hike up to the top of the island, and at first, I did what I always do – I marched. Goal: summit. But somewhere along the trail, the stillness got to me. Fantails fluttered nearby. No traffic, no beeping phones, just… birdsong. And in that quiet, I felt something I hadn’t in ages: actual calm.
By the time we reached the lookout, I wasn’t thinking about how long the hike took or whether I’d logged it on Strava. I was just… there. Present, taking in the beauty of the landscape around me. And it struck me that I hadn’t really done that in a long time. Not properly.
Lesson learned: Stillness isn’t a waste of time. It’s a gift.
Picture-perfect Lake Pukaki. | IMAGE: GWEN TAY
Lake Pukaki Kettle Hole
You’ve probably seen photos of Lake Pukaki – a stunning turquoise lake that looks too perfect to be real. Just a short drive away is The Kettle Hole Walk. It’s not a long or difficuly trail, but what it lacks in distance, it makes up for in vibes.
The walk meanders through tussock grasslands, with the Southern Alps looming in the distance. The beauty of this hike is how low-effort it is. No scrambling, no racing to catch the sunset. Just walking, breathing, and soaking it all in. We even got lost and battled wild winds at the top of the hill. At one point, we broke into laughter – my hair was flying everywhere like a pontianak.
It was on this hike I realised how much I’d internalised the “go big or go home” mindset. Back in Singapore, I often equate productivity with purpose. But here, just taking a quiet one-hour stroll in nature felt… fulfilling. It wasn’t about “doing” something impressive. It was about noticing what was around me – the colour of the lake, the crunch of gravel, the way the clean air felt in my lungs.
Lesson learned: Slowing down doesn’t mean you’re doing less. It means you’re noticing more.
Learning life lessons on the Hooker Valley Track. | IMAGES: GWEN TAY
Hooker Valley Track
The Hooker Valley Track is one of the most iconic hikes in New Zealand. Think swinging suspension bridges (three, to be exact; and they were scary!), dramatic valleys, and if the weather plays nice, a front-row view of Aoraki/Mount Cook and its pristine glaciers.
Except, the weather didn’t play nice.
On the day we planned to hike, it poured. Not your average drizzle, but a proper, thundering downpour that made even leaving the hotel feel like a challenge. So we postponed it. At first, it felt like a small defeat. Our schedule! Our precious time! How leh, wasted.
But you know what? That rainy evening – tucked under blankets with a hot drink and nothing pressing to do – turned out to be a blessing. We watched the storm roll over the mountains, talked about everything and nothing, and actually rested. It reminded me that slowing down isn’t just for the trail. Sometimes it’s in the quiet, plan-free pauses that you reconnect – with yourself, your partner, and the moment.
When we finally did hike the next day, the skies were still a bit moody. But instead of rushing, we walked slowly, paused often for photos, and halfway through, the sun appeared. We got to the end. The view? Absolutely worth the wait.
Lesson learned: You can’t control everything. But you can choose how you respond. And sometimes, the detour is the most restful part of the journey.
A panorama worth the arduous climb up Rocky Mountain. | IMAGE: GWEN TAY
Diamond Lake and Rocky Mountain
This hike gave us one of the most rewarding views of the trip. It was also one of the more physically demanding ones (yes, my legs were crying a little). But each step up the Rocky Mountain summit brought my husband and me further away from the usual noise of daily life.
About halfway up, we stopped at a lookout point to take photos. Below us, Diamond Lake sparkled in the sun. In the distance, the mountain range looked like it belonged in a fantasy film. My husband was grumbling about setting up the tripod, but I didn’t hear a word – I was too busy being awestruck. It was like my brain finally took a deep breath.
When we reached the top, I felt light. Not just from the physical effort or hopping around to avoid cattle poop, but from everything I’d left behind mentally. No to-do lists. No inbox. No WhatsApp messages. Just this enormous, breathtaking view… and me in it.
Lesson learned: Mental clarity can come from a climb, a view, a breeze at the summit. New Zealand didn’t just give me stunning hikes and Instagrammable moments. It reminded me that slowing down isn’t a weakness. It’s a way of honouring the moment you’re in. And honestly, I think we all need a bit more of that.
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