Off the beaten track

So how and what is the way to explore a life beyond the city and its calling? Do big savings make the move easy? “It’s a personal matter,and has to do with where one is at on the economic prosperity ladder,how simplistically or luxuriantly one wants to continue living life,post the “leap”; and financial and other obligations (loans,children etc.) While he may have been okay with having a few lakhs stashed away,many others who dream of doing similar things,says Gaurav,want at least a few crores saved!

So does it help that his wife Vandana,an architect,has a regular income flowing in? “She’s not only my financer,but emotional strength and it really would have been tough without her understanding,support and vision. The situation,he adds,can have both pros and cons. If one does not have as much financial security as the mind desires before deciding,it may be helpful if the spouse is making some extra money to keep the house going. “On the other hand,a spouse’s ‘regular’ job can bring complexities in terms of geographical limitation,to relocating. What’s important is to keep an open mind and committed to making your dream work,even if it means changing gears and taking up a part-time ‘regular’ job.’’

With the plan in place,what’s the road ahead? “It is not as important to “know” the path. The path will reveal itself as you keep treading. All you need to do is arm yourself with keen awareness,humility and openness to things beyond your comprehension. Oh,and find a mentor,if you can.’’

Take the plan,as an experience and experiment,like Gaurav is doing. Walk the road,but don’t get attached to it simply because you’ve decided to tread it. And certainly don’t be afraid or harsh on yourself if it doesn’t work out. Give yourself lot of room to make errors,and keep a door open in case you want to return,or feel you need to shift the balance in making both your dreams and house work. His simplistic approach to life,not many needs,wants is such a temperament a prerequisite? “Only certain kinds of personalities will be amenable to taking the ‘leap’. What those are – my guess would be as good as yours.’’

As for setbacks,he makes a partial list… lack of support from family and friends; “it was too “romantic” an idea and too harsh to actually do when it hit the road”; “Don’t know where to start”; “It’s taking longer than I thought it would”; “Savings depleting faster”; The ‘unknown’. “I’d put a lot of my savings in market instruments and was relying on them giving me a monthly income; didn’t expect the market to tank so fast and so much,as happens to most,’’ but the compensations of such a life are enormous — peace,satisfaction and true happiness to list a few.

With a dream to set up markets for farmers all over the country,Gaurav sums it aptly,“to someone who is keen on treading the path,these questions take prominence only till he/she reaches a tipping point. Once the heart reaches that point,the self tends to get restless and the next step forward,imminent. That is not to say one should not plan,but beyond a point,planning seems necessary only to a degree. And as I discovered along the way,we need to leave room for things and forces beyond our comprehension that will show and guide us along the way.’’

Unchained Melodies
Arjun Sen,Musician
The music flows uninterrupted,far from the madding crowd,as musician and composer Arjun Sen works from his quaint studio in Chowgan,a small village in Bir,Himachal Pradesh. After more than 20 years in the middle of madness — Delhi,where he worked and played,this is a second homecoming for Sen. From the hills of Shillong,his hometown to now this haven which he calls home,the move came from both the head and heart! “I wasn’t really getting the work that interests me,’’ a guitar player,with an individual approach and vast experience,Sen’s known for sound composing for films like Khamosh Paani,Othello,Wedded Bliss…apart from producing music for many television ads,promos,jingles. So why not Mumbai,where there’s more work for original and creative musicians like him? “That’s not music to the ears at all,’’ Sen laughs off the suggestion,adding how the broadband’s made life so amazing for people like him,who could be anywhere,yet make music and play for people around the country. “When you like to do your own thing,like I do,making money gets tough. The cost of living in Delhi was getting so high,add to that the traffic,heat,chaos…in any case,I was never part of the mainstream,even in the city that I lived for 20 years,I met and connected with only five people and at the end of it all I was just paying the landlord hefty bills,’’ Sen says he’s not only saving on those,but breathing fresh,clean air and enjoying the pace and space. The transition,smiles Sen,is possible only if you shut one door completely,“many people fail to cope with the change,for they keep all options open. Choose what you want and stick to it,you need to be comfortable with not knowing what comes next.’’ Savings says Sen,are paramount if it’s a grand venture you want to set up,“depends on who you are and what you want from the move,one can do with very little,like I did and the fact that I am single has made it more effortless. But it helps,if one partner is in a ‘regular’ vocation,he agrees. “Ask yourself what you want and why,and the answers from within will guide,’’ believes Sen,adding that an open-minded approach is a great plus. For him,the space and situation is ideal,the setbacks are none,for he chooses what he wants to do,“if you are a professional you may end up losing a few jobs,it may also take longer than you planned to set up your home,rented or otherwise.’’ And once you’ve taken the plunge? “Take every day as it comes,’’ the compensations of such a life are enormous — lesser needs,cleaner air and water and quality of life. “Won’t work if you are addicted to city life,’’ Sen loves the rural life,dismissing the pitfalls,as not so much more different than pitfalls anywhere. “The community feeling is stronger,people work things out together,and it’s you who is stuck in traffic jams,bearing power cuts and coming home more tired everyday,’’ Sen is busy touring with his band HFT and his new album Acquired Senses is set for release. Tune in…

Reality Check
Amit Bapna,Content writer & consultant,37
He’s been there and done that…Advertising,banking,journalism,communication,Amit Bapna’s been busy. Years with Ogilvy and Mather,HDFC,a leading English daily,the varied roles have enriched him professionally and personally,but alongside drained Amit too. “The corporate routine finally got to me,more mentally,when I just couldn’t find time to be with my son and decided to break the speed and weigh some new options,’’ smiles Bapna,here from Mumbai for an experience-sharing session with the students of Chitkara School of Mass Communication. Teaching is Bapna’s new passion,as he’s now taken a break from the corporate job and is working from home,writing for various publications,acting as a content-consultant for marketing and branding,media and advertising,education,retail,travel and tourism! Whew…that’s a lot of work. “Multi-tasking is hard work,but doing your own thing,at your own pace and having the freedom of time is a terrific experience. I don’t get jaded anymore and it’s given me a different life,with so many value additions,’’ Bapna had full support of his wife and that he says,has made the move more comfortable. It’s not easy,especially psychlogically,he agrees,for knocking off the monthly income is tough financially,“but if you’re willing to go through the initial stumbling blocks and give it your best shot,it all falls into place. Of course,just because you’re working from home doesn’t mean you can be less professional or not give your 100 per cent. In this case,you have to prove yourself more and it’s survival of the fittest,’’ Bapna travels extensively for teaching assignments and is looking forward to more…

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