3 Things I Learnt From Running Away To India

In 2016 I ran away from burnout and a life I was desperately unhappy in.

I literally dropped the life I had in the UK and F’ed off to India.

Re-wind 7 weeks prior and I had just had a total meltdown on a beach in Thailand.

I’d saved for that trip for 2 years.

I sat there on this busy beach balling my eyes out like my toddler who’s hearing no for the first time that day.

I had a crowd round me, quite concerned. All I could see was a lot of feet as I was to ashamed to look up at those around me.

I was wailing over and over…

‘I don’t want my life to be like this’. 

‘This isn’t the path I want for my life’.

This was the exact point that I chose to change my life forever.

When I got back to the UK I applied for 3 jobs abroad.

I wanted to be a man who makes their dreams a reality (and I still am).

Within 2 weeks I had 3 interviews.

Within 3 weeks I had 3 offers.

Within 6 weeks I was on the plane to India.

India 🇮🇳 changed my life immeasurably.

Here are 3 of the many things I learnt out there.

1️⃣ If you run away from your problems they’ll likely still be waiting for you when you get back.
Yup. I had not learnt how to manage myself, how to show self-compassion, how to prioritise my well-being or what work: life balance was. I was still obsessed with work. So back into the old habits I slipped, and creeping back came my old sparring buddy burnout.

You can run. But you can’t hide. Sure as death and taxes what you’re running from will catch up with you.

2️⃣ You CAN change your circumstances.
I was in a big big hole, my environment both personally and professionally was deeply toxic and it set me up to fail. So, I changed my environment in the most extreme way I could think of. I left the continent 😆. Ultimately though, I went to an environment that allowed me to thrive, be supported and surrounded by people who were kind, genuine, caring and full of joy and life.

If you want to grow, set roots in an environment which nurtures you.

3️⃣ It costs nothing to give and receive kindness.
I left the UK a self-centered, egotistical and lost individual who was a shell of the human I knew and actually quite liked.

I experienced kindness and genuine happiness/joy from people who were homeless and had zero. I was offered clothing during a tropical rainstorm from a man who had no possessions other than the clothing he wore.

I returned as a man questioning the need for material objects, grounded, seeking joy and trying to express kindness and warmth to everyone I come across.

Being kind to other humans and animals is the least you can do.

I seem to learn my life lessons the hard way, I shouldn’t have ever felt the only way to change my circumstances was to run away.

That is why I support people in building a personal and professional environment which fits into the life they want to lead.

You can run. But you can’t hide.