One year.

Its been just over a year since I moved back to India. And what a thoroughly unexpected year it has been.

When I left behind my friends, my lifestyle and my memories of five years in England, I had no clue what to expect here at home. I had become accustomed to an independent lifestyle in the capital city of the world, London. Moving back in with my parents, with no guaranteed source of income for myself, would no doubt be a change of pace.

However, as one does, I embraced and adapted to the change in lifestyle without much qualms. Apart from the occasional pangs of memories of England, I became comfortable at home in Hyderabad. On one hand, my mind was still continuing to seek the thrill that has continued to evade me since 2010 and on the other hand, I felt the need to settle down and grow up. Striking a balance between both has proved difficult at times but if you know me well, you know that I love difficult things and challenges in life.

In my new found role as an entrepreneur and photographer, I have learnt that paper work and bureaucracy is a part of professional life. I have learnt that good things don’t come to those who wait but rather to those who get off their bottom and pursue their dreams. I have learnt as a self employed person, discipline is paramount to success of your business but you need to let go once in a while too. I have learnt that at certain times, you need to look at life from the viewpoint of a fresh faced optimistic teenager and at other times, from the perspective of a wise old man. I have learnt that it is easy to blame yourself for everything that goes wrong and hard to listen to everyone who says otherwise. I have learnt that there is no clear route to success and even though those dreams of fame and fortune look like they might elude you, it is just a matter of trying hard and doing your duty every single day without losing hope and believing in yourself. Having said all that, I am still learning to figure out where life will take me.

Reflecting upon the years gone by, my 21st birthday was spent consuming plenty of Real Ale with tons of friends at the New Inn Pub in Colchester. My 22nd birthday was spent photographing the Bonalu celebrations in Secunderabad followed by a meal of Haleem and Thums Up. This year, my 23rd birthday was spent with my father surrounded by the wonderful serene landscape of Ladakh, eating Maggi noodles at 17,800 feet. I am growing up and so is the world around me. What my next birthday holds for me, I do not know.

In the past one year, I have traveled to more than a dozen wonderful places, relished the experiences that they brought, sought out new challenges to conquer, caught up with old friends, made new friends, fell in love, dreamt new dreams, gave up on old ones, made mistakes, learnt from them, lost hope, found new passions and cherished every moment, whether it brought me pain or pleasure. I know that this year will bring more unexpected experiences and this exciting journey of life will continue.

Currently listening to – Lover Of The Light by Mumford & Sons