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.

Rewind 7 weeks prior, and I had a total meltdown on a beach in Thailand. 

I had saved for that trip for 2 years, sitting on that busy beach, I was balling my eyes out, feeling ashamed as a crowd formed around me. 

I sobbed, “I don’t want my life to be like this, this isn’t the path I want for my life.”

That was the moment I chose to change my life forever. 

When I got back to the UK, I applied for 3 jobs abroad. Within weeks, I had 3 interviews, 3 offers, and was on a plane to India.

India 🇮🇳 changed my life immeasurably. 

Here are 3 of the many things I learnt:
1️⃣ If you run away from your problems, they’ll likely still be waiting for you when you get back. I hadn’t learned how to manage myself or show self-compassion. I slipped back into old habits, and creeping back came my old sparring buddy, burnout. You can run, but you can’t hide.

2️⃣ You CAN change your circumstances. 
My environment was toxic, setting me up to fail. I changed it in the most extreme way possible. I went to an environment that allowed me to thrive, surrounded by kind, genuine people. If you want to grow, set roots in a nurturing environment.

3️⃣ It costs nothing to give and receive kindness. 
I left the UK a self-centered individual and returned questioning the need for material objects and what my purpose was? I experienced genuine kindness from people who had nothing. I learned that being kind to others is the least you can do.

I seem to learn my life lessons the hard way. 

I shouldn’t have felt the only way to change my circumstances was to run away, I know others of you will feel this. 

That’s why I support people in building a personal and professional environment that fits the life they want to lead. 

You can run, but you can’t hide.