2 years away from home
and here is how it happened.
The push
Being in Mumbai City for 22 years, it wearied me of the same repetitive pattern. All these years on earth I had seen only a few places on the big map.
Bored
The pattern for the place you grow up in becomes more predictable and thus less exciting after years. We know how things are going to be, we can time the seasons, we see the city slowly growing into skyscrapers, we know which building is going to be renovated next, We know the streets and we know where it will lead us. We know the people and people’s people and that’s all. Nothing else.
The city had slowed down enough that if I was away for a while and on return I could still see the changes or feel the same way. It was just going to be there as it is.
I wanted to move.
Fewer useful challenges
As we will be interacting with the same people, we are quick to learn about them (or in some cases learn from them). However, as time passed the people would be connected to the same methods they had years ago on the first meet. There was no change in their perspective, They were who they were.
On the escape mission, I intended to find new people and most of them were wise.
The city was vibing to the same tune. Same restlessness, Same political talks, Same weather talks, Same complaints
I wondered if they would ever realize that they were doing the same thing again and again!
Nothing new in the foreseeable future
To be inspired, I had always looked up to people beyond me in terms of Age and skills to some extent. Along with it, I also craved to step on the most unique possible thing to ever work on. It was my thing. I like exploring new stuff and I don’t like repetitiveness.
When greeting hey, I probably am scanning your words to see, What’s new that I can get to know about.
People who I looked up to were comfortable in this environment, Not trying anything new unless hand-served, I have explained this in my blog below….
So keeping these things in mind, I wanted to explore other parts of the world. And I got a Job opportunity in Chennai and this was my first time stepping out all by myself.
Outside the door
Chennai is a vibrant city, but I was staying 3 hours from there. TN govt. had decided to expand development and choose a place away from the city to plant new IT offices. In the SIPCOT IT PARK area with big offices of TCS, Hexaware, and Capgemini, My office was at the end. It took 20 20-minute rides just from the entrance of the park.
Budgeting
First time out of home, and I had some cash lying around to cover the initial days.
Soon enough a month passed away and I had my first paycheck.
Instead of planning or being aware of the budget, I moved into an apartment with a friend which came with a hefty rent.
And on top of that, I was eating outside every day. Food was on the expensive side for the place I was staying in, But I was focused on taste and trying out new restaurants.
On one such occasion, when my friend pulled out his phone to scan to pay, his payment was denied multiple times. So, I continued to pay (And anyway we would always split the bill in two) and we left the shop.
My friend shocked by the payment denial was looking out for the reason by checking his balance and he froze when he said his account was empty.
This made me check my phone and it was my turn to freeze now. I too had spent all my money with just a few bucks left around.
With excessive spending habits, we both were out of money right in the middle of the month.
This was the first time we got a kick to control the cash flow. I tried to manage Excel and then started limiting the amount I spent. I allocated a fixed amount to be spent on each category and it helped me stay afloat from then.
Traveling
In Mumbai, when I step out there are multiple methods of transport to get me from one place to another in cheaper rates.
However, Chennai traveling was a bit tricky.
- The train network wasn’t as strong as Mumbai.
- Auto charges are pretty high.
- Cabs can be booked only via Ola / Uber apps.
- Busses are pretty slow and usually crowded.
- Ola / Uber drivers will accept only if you are willing to pay more than the estimated amount.
As I was having multiple modes of transportation, I did not feel the need to learn to drive.
I was waiting for Tesla to catch up.
That dream came falling when I realized I was no more in Mumbai and knowing how to drive would have made a huge difference in my day-to-day life.
Young Culture
Youngsters are more outgoing. In a city like Mumbai, we have a pretty good count of nerds in college like me who can sit immobile with their eyes glued to the screen.
In Chennai, youngsters were more interested in outdoor sports and activities. They would play cricket, badminton, and any other sports.
Another common activity would be riding out with friends on their bikes.
Even though guys like these exist in Mumbai, Most of them prefer computers or sitting back with a controller and their Xbox.
They also were aware of food spots pretty far away and with the group of friends and their motorcycle, riding there was always fun.
Changing seasons
After a year, my chapter in Chennai was drawing to an end.
Still with no interest in returning, I was looking for some other place to move in.
And after multiple job applications, I got invited to Bangalore.
Moving to another state
Chennai is a hot city. Its floor is lava. It was always hot. And many kilometers from there comes Bangalore.
“Bangalore’s weather is good” is the first statement anyone utters about the capital of Karnataka.
With cold weather covering me, I loved to wear all sweater t-shirts which otherwise I couldn’t wear in Chennai or Mumbai.
The morning walk to the office was fun with mist covering the road and sunlight trying to pierce it.
It was like Christmas every day until there was a heatwave in March 2024.
Doubts on survival
After stepping out, loneliness tried to sneak in in all possible ways it could.
Even though I wanted to stand on my own, and dreamed of being in a better lifestyle, Once I had started working and staying far from family and friends My dream seemed to be very far and unachievable.
There were just too many negative pits to fall into, and it had become a drug.
But my ever-loving God peacefully guided me out of all the traps.
Trusting God
This verse
Be still, and know that I am God: …
Psalms 46: 10
was powerful enough to always draw tears out of my eyes. Tears due to fear and doubt and not seeing any possibility of hope. However later when I learned the secret of the verse, It strengthened me more in God.
The challenge was to silence my mind to not overreact by looking at the waves.
I just had to put away my disbelief and keep walking as my father in heaven was always having his eyes on me.
But I couldn’t and then after praying about it, I was closer to God and he strengthened me.
Things I am happy for
Having God fix everything
No matter how I screw up, I have my Father in Heaven to always look out for me and guide me
God’s hand on my shoulders
At times when I felt alone thinking no one was with me, Jesus wrapped me in his arms as if I were his best friend.
More opportunities
Getting out helped me get out of my shell, do crazy things, and then just see the world from a different perspective.
And so, as I close this chapter of my 24-year-long journey, I look forward to the future with a new hope.
Cheers to the next chapter of this beautiful and utterly unpredictable story called life.
