The Wall Speaks a Language I Understand

There’s a certain kind of silence only climbing gyms know—chalk in the air, shoes squeaking, and voices saying things like, “Stand up. It’s there. You’ve got this.” But sometimes, it goes deeper: “You need to believe you can reach it.” “It’s within your range.” Or the ones that sound more like therapy than sport: “This is your problem to solve.” “You can’t run from it.” “Finish this one before you move on.” And maybe that’s what keeps me coming back. Not the climb itself, but the feeling that something in me—some small, late part—gets nudged forward each time. I’m not stuck. I’m just not done yet. #sport #climbing #thewallsaidso