Living in nature helped me practice Minimalism: Muskaan Khubchandani

When the pandemic was sending shock waves across the country, Muskaan Khubchandani was still focused on pursuing her desires. For starters, the actress flew from Mumbai to Delhi and embarked on a trekking trip to McLeod Ganj. “I was seeking new experiences and to meet new people, so I planned a short trip,” she explains, adding that it took a lot of courage for her to travel during the pandemic.

Trekking is one of Muskaan’s favourite activities. In April, she embarked on a solo backpack trekking, which the actress says was ‘so much fun’.
She chose the destination, however, for another reason, too. “I practice Buddhism and wanted to explore its practices in Dharmshala and in Himachal Pradesh,” Muskan explains, adding that this was her first solo backpack trip in a long time.

Muskaan practising yoga at McLeod Ganj

According to the actress, the best aspect of trekking is the ability to adapt to the changing weather conditions. “The challenge teaches us adaptability to uncertain circumstances,” she shares. Of course, another major challenge for her was her fear of heights. “I earlier had height phobia but I overcame it, and now I sit on the cliff of the mountains,” she adds with a laugh.

Nature retreat

After trekking in the Himalayas, Muskaan embarked on another journey in May — this time, for a month at a health and nature resort called Bhakti Kutir in Goa — a long due trip, as she puts it, in nature’s lap with a campus surrounded by coconut trees.

Incidentally, Bhakti Kutir was where Muskan had done a workshop early this year. It was also then she realised that the place even accommodated people for a stay. Ever since, she’d been craving to go and spend time there, she tells us. “I’m glad that I could finally fulfil my wish,” she says.

At nature and health resort, Bhakti Kutir, Goa

While the actress was staying in a safe bubble throughout the month, spending time in the middle of the jungle was refreshing for her, she tells us. For one, she learnt to conquer her fears. “I had a fear of reptiles but with this trip I’ve conquered it. I saw five snakes around my cottage; that’s how raw the place was. Then I indulged in yoga, meditation and workouts in the serene environment,” she shares.

Muskan’s daily routine when at the resort was to wash her clothes, cook food and indulge in a bit of writing. “Doing something for myself at such a serene place was so blissful,” adds the George Reddy star. She apparently even bonded with several creative people during her stay, having met artists, performers, musicians and writers.

The actress cooling heels at the Goa beach

“We had amazing interactions as people from various walks of life shared their stories, and I could see several musical instruments that I never heard off,” she adds. While spending time in nature to stay away from the city life helped her open her mind as an actor, she says it also deepened her sense of understanding.

“Meeting people and listening to their stories have added to making me a better person,” she says, reflecting on the insightful trip. “The jungle life helped me practice ‘minimalism’ and taught me how to live in harmony, not only with humans but also with animals.”

Muskaan taking a nap at the Bhakti Kutir

Gratitude in COVID times

Soon after she returned from Goa to Delhi in mid-May, however, the actress contracted the virus. Luckily for the actress, she had only mild symptoms.
“I was in home isolation and immediately started taking medication, and I recovered quickly,” she reveals.

Peeling a kokum fruit during her stay at the health resort

Her interactions with videographers and musicians in Goa even helped her to start a fitness YouTube channel during isolation. And she utilised her quarantine time to develop content on fitness and other lifestyle activities. Muskaan also tells us that her trekking and Goa trips made her realise that it is extremely important to be grateful to earth. “Earlier, I used to have what I desired, but now I wanted to give back and contribute to nature,” says the Laxmii actress, signing off.