Change

I don’t have a great track record with change. I was distraught while leaving Bangalore for Mumbai 3 years ago; and similar sadness engulfed me a few weeks ago when I was leaving Mumbai for Ahmedabad.

The fact that I wouldn’t be seeing Payal sitting next to me every day; or won’t have an evening tea with Diesel; or won’t be saying “Sai P, wassup” anymore; or won’t be able to call Rajendra for a quick bite and chat at Subway – all this was quite distressing. Add to that the fact that I was making a career move which has very high tail risk in terms of opportunity cost; and had a difficult situation at home. Bottom-line, it was not easy.

And then calm came from the most unexpected place. While everyone in my close circle was rallying around me, I was perhaps too used to getting advice from them. So, when my younger brother told me on the flight from Patna to Mumbai – “just do what faces you; do it then and there, and then get over with it. Don’t think over it” – I was taken aback with the simplicity of what he said. Not that anything he said was new to me; it’s just that he put it so simply that made an impact on me.

3 weeks fast forward, and 2 weeks into IIM A; I am settling OK. Thankfully, my work ex and education is helping me get through the academic load relatively easily. And I am doing exactly what my brother said – do what faces you, then and there; and then get over with it.

Though clouds of doubt do emerge once in a while. But the busy schedule of IIM A takes care of them. Not sure how healthy this is – cause I am not that person inherently who brushes away of thoughts. But for now I guess it will have to do. Anyway, as Nietzsche said – What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.

PS: To all my friends in Mumbai - I will cherish our memories together forever to come. Hope , we will keep in touch.