15/My comfort zone got itchy

So do I scratch this itch or scratch another?

I’m playing ‘Blinding Lights’ by the Weekend on loop as I write this. That song has been my go-to for work ever since I heard it. I memorised the lyrics and heard it enough times so I can tune it out while working. I need something to ignore so I can focus on what I am working on.

Speaking of work, I quit my corporate job.

I quit my well-paying cushy corporate golden handcuffs job and it was heartbreaking to leave my team and work behind. I did it anyway.

Do I regret it? The opposite. It regrets me. (Just like poetic license, I am making use of something called the nonsensical license, patent pending.)

On a serious note, I do not regret it at all. After having followed the default path for the past twenty two years, I am finally creating one that feels like a path for me. To be completely honest, the path currently looks like a mix of gravel, some tiles, sprinkles of sand, some concrete and a red carpet. (Make it make sense!)

The plan was to start freelancing right away but I realised I was burnt out. Sitting in front of a screen made me want claw my eyes out and run away — or claw my eyes out while running away — your pick.

This brought me to my next dilemma - What do I do now? I didn’t want to work, I didn’t know what to call this feeling of meandering. Enter a fancy term - sabbatical.

I've only ever heard of sabbaticals in the context of academia, when professors take long breaks to pursue research. The first person I knew who took a sabbatical was Paul Millerd, whose book ‘The Pathless Path’ was a huge influence behind this decision of mine. You should definitely read the book if you feel unsatisfied with the work that you are doing/ life that you are living.

It wasn’t hard when I quit. A month after I did, I started seeing LinkedIN posts of promotions that my friends had gotten. Even then, it didn’t sting. That’s when I knew I made the right decision for me.

I can tell you what happened next and paint a pretty, sorted picture that somehow led me to where I am. But I won’t. Connecting the dots looking backward is not something to do to make it make sense, but only to understand the circumstances that led to where I am. I don’t need to understand those circumstances right now. I created those circumstances.

It’s very simple - my comfort zone got itchy, and turns out it wasn’t an itch I wanted to scratch.

Right now I’m privileged enough to be able to say I’m still figuring things out! I took a job as an assistant to a travel influencer that lets me do cool stuff like design, writing, creating itineraries and a ton of research. It also helps me pay my bills (because financial independence!). I’ll get into the story of how I got here in another edition.

Right now, whatever itch I’m scratching through this job feels good. It feels like I’m on a path to something, and maybe I’m not doing what I love (I’m still figuring it out), but I am definitely on the way to it. Experimentation is everything.

If you’re thinking about taking the leap, do drop a comment or reply to the email! I would love to discuss.

Happy independence day folks! I’m truly happy to be experiencing freedom on two levels - having the freedom of living in a stable and democratic country while also being in charge of my hours and the kind of work I do!

Tip of the day - a hot coffee can go cold, but a cold coffee can’t go hot. So order a cold coffee for any long catch-up conversations folks!

P.S Are you a photographer based out of Bangalore? If so, can you please teach me the basics of photography? Coffee (or any beverage of your choice) is on me if you help me out :D

P.P.S This was the big news I was referring to in edition #13!