Today I spent ten minutes or more looking at a honeybee in the patio. Honeybee, remember one of those?
I recently quit my hectic 9-5 job to travel and write. I loved my job but I felt like it was time I made travel my priority. Once I reassessed my life, I realised I was working so that I could fund my travels. What could go wrong if I jumped without this currency parachute? And so I did.
After my jump, a friend suggested an ad by Turiya villa and spa, Goa. Turiya was looking for a temporary property manager, which appeared to be a perfect transition to my new phase of life. Our planets aligned and here I am; staring at bees in the patio and planning my next travel.
In the past few months, a lot of people have asked me questions about what I am going to do, how I will survive this line of work and how they can venture out to alternate career options, amongst others. These have been my primary guidelines.
Save
I have never been able to save money until I saw a destination I wanted to explore. However, in the last few weeks I have realised that money gives us confidence. Moving cities with no job in sight can reshuffle a lot of our decisions. This is only the start for me and now, I am more cautious and think twice before I spend my money. I don’t expect a rainy day but if it pours, I must be prepared.
Research and stay connected
Doing the homework always helps. My stint with Femina helped me connect and meet travellers and travel bloggers who inspired me. It always helps to get a first person’s perspective and then evaluate the current situation.
The eternal optimist
Nothing can go wrong. Whatever goes wrong, we have not thought about it till it actually happens. I am an optimist and often invest in happy conclusions than worrying about out-of-control consequences. We are here to take chances and none of us hope to jinx it. Let’s keep the faith and smile through it.
What’s the heart saying?
I know this sounds like a cliché, but the heart always knows the truth. There isn’t a right time for anything till our heart says so. Intuition tells us exactly where we would be happy and listening to our hearts takes us there. Last year, when I travelled to Spiti, I felt like there was a big change on its way and seven months later, I am living it. (Read more about my Spitian experience here)
Answer those who care
When I decided to take the plunge, there were plenty of questions (and some arguments) from my family and close friends. Understanding and addressing their questions were imperative as was getting their feedback. These discussions put things into perspective and bring in immense amount of clarity. Once the foundation is strong, confidence never deters.
Be open
…To change, chances, people, accidents, memories and everything. It is natural to be a little scared before starting afresh on an unknown road. Change is the only constant and as long as I am open to that, it will be a smooth sail.
How do you welcome change in your life?
Amrita Das
I have been a travel and culture independent journalist. My bylines have appeared in many publications worldwide including National Geographic Traveller India, Lonely Planet Magazine India, The Indian Express and World Travel Magazine. A fellow of Media Ambassadors India-Germany 2019 program by Robert Bosch Stiftung and Centre for Media Competence, University of Tübingen. Currently, I am the photo editor for RoundGlass Sustain, a wildlife and conservation e-publication. I live in India.
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Wanting to make a change like this myself…
Hey Mark, so what do you feel is stopping you?
Well I’ve started my blog and on travels at the moment (in Santorini) so writing about my travels and hopefully starting to build a readership… Depending on how it goes would like to transition out of my 9-5 job over the next year or two…. So there is a plan… :-)
That’s great! And your blog looks great. It reads well and has lovely photographs. It always helps to establish before the jump. Good luck! And we have nothing to fear :)
Keep writing…keep inspiring us :)
Thank you :) Though any ideas on what you’d like to read further?
Brave new world it is! Congrats and best of luck! Your travelogue is quite interesting. Keep it up :-)
Thanks Priya! I hope to keep you posted with all the travel-happenings :)
This is impressive!
It’s a brave move and you have done your homework thoroughly.
Look forward to hear about your plans about Turiya and your next travel destination.. :)
You’ve always been very encouraging, Shruti. Thank you and you’ll definitely be kept informed :)
All the best. I know it’s a difficult decision. I know several people who quit their jobs but after a year or two had to join back a 9-5 routine.
At times, it’s tough to make both ends meet w/o regular income but then, we should look at the brighter side. :)
Cheers & happy travels.
Thanks Nisha…I will need the good wishes. Though I am not averse to another 9-5 job, but perhaps become more specific about what I’d like to do. And as we all know it, it has to be something with hands-on travel. As of now, I am here and doing what I love :)
Take care
well done! and wishing you all the very best
Thank you so much Sharmila and Akansha…you will obviously know the next change :)
Looking forward :)
You have always followed your heart and did what you had to. I am sure that you are in a happy place. Keep chasing your dreams and follow your heart…and we are there to clarify any confusion :) All the best my sis!
Thank you! It feels great to read these words from someone who knows me well :)
Awesome! And all the best!!
Thank you Satty! See you in the mountain roads some time soon :)
I appreciate, cause I discovered exactly what I
was having a look for. You’ve ended my 4 day long hunt!
God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye
Thank you :) though I am quite clueless about your 4-day long hunt?
certainly like your website however you need to test the spelling
on quite a few of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling
problems and I in finding it very bothersome to inform the
truth on the other hand I will surely come back again.
Thanks for stopping by. However, I’m very particular with spellings myself which makes me wonder how I may have missed it. Help me spot them?
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Thank you so much! Your kind words are very encouraging :)
Really nice! From the method where did you get that image?
Thank you! All images in the blog are mine unless otherwise credited. :)
Awesome issues here. I am very satisfied to peer
your post. Thank you a lot and I’m taking a look ahead to touch you.
Will you please drop me a e-mail?
Hey Judi, thanks :) I’m at amritadas15@gmail.com whenever you want to reach me.
Hi! This is my first comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and say I truly enjoy reading
through your articles. Can you suggest any other blogs/websites/forums that deal
with the same topics? Appreciate it!
Thanks Telstra, glad you enjoyed reading the blog. You can check the Shooting Star, desiTraveler and India Stretched (photography) if you want travel stories from India :) please feel free to share more comments.
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Thank you Courtney! More such posts coming your way… :D