How moving to the mountains threatened my identity
From living in Singapore for 14years to scaling an investor funded business from Bir, Himachal
I have lived in Singapore for 14 years. My first business scaled in between the chaos and competitive pace of 5G internet, punctual meetings and a brimming pride of living in a 2 BHK condomium with all facilities. Organized life. Fast paced. Power suits. Weekends spent drinking, playing golf, trying out exotic cuisines. And I love it.
You’ll relate if you are a high performing individual, elder child who was taught that ambitions are gold and winning is a must to deserve anything in life. I lived up to it happily. It became my identity. I surrounded myself with overachievers, people who talk startups and cryptos. Slowing down wasn’t in my dictionary until…
I took a trip to Bir, Himachal Pradesh ( India). You know when you go for a solo trip to the mountains. Serenity, clean air, good weather, no hustle-bustle. Remarks we commonly make is ‘I wish I could have stayed here longer’ or ‘this is going to be my retirement plan’.
I am 30 and I ended up staying in Bir. I have the luxury of running my business remotely ( I love this freedom), so I thought why not. Got an independent house. And this is how the experience unfolded -
Mountain Village Life
I love waking to views that are not of high rise buildings but of snow capped mountains
Local Bir people, are healthy, wealthy and happy. 85+year olds cake walk uphill in slippers carrying their harvest in heavy baskets. They start their day early, end their work by 5pm what may come and believe in enjoying meals with their family
You will know the district’s internet and electricity person by name. Internet is faster than Indian metro cities. You are pre-informed about power cuts through a whatsapp message. 15mins means 15mins
Everyday’s sunset brings a different energy
Locals have small businesses - taxi service, paragliding companies, homestays, boutique cafes. Entrepreneur in me always asks them how do you plan to scale ( 👀) and their response is ‘jitna hai khush hai hum, zyada tension nai chaiye’ ( we are satisfied with what we have)
Sounds good. What is the problem then?
My identity has a lot to say to me..
“You are building a company that has to get to another level now. Are you sure you are not missing out by not being in Singapore, Bangalore or places where investors and founders are living”
“You are going trekking, doing paintings on weekends, spending time gardening. Why are you wasting your weekend? Won’t work suffer?”
“Aren’t you scared that you will lose your entrepreneurial spirit, everything you learnt in Singapore, what if you fail? You are getting too comfortable in this simple life”
“Where are the intellects? Can you please find people who understand running successful startups”
Kanika has known herself as a hardworking individual operated by her to-dos. Accomplishing professional checklists and fulfilling ambitions has become a part of my identity.
And now when this Kanika is also enjoying trekking, nature walks, painting rather than strategizing on weekends, her identity is bringing fear because this is not what winning entrepreneurs would do. It’s a threat to her working style.
But you know what, I am learning because I love both, my work and this new found perspective to life.
I read this note by Naval Ravikant on shedding your identity to see reality :
He says “ its really important to be able to uncondition yourself ..and say, I probably picked up a habit when I was a toddler trying to get my parent’s attention. Now I have reinforced it and reinforced it, and I call it part of my identity. Does it still serve me? Does it make me happier? Does it make me healthier? Does it make me accomplish whatever I set out to accomplish?"
Today when I go to deliver talks ( in cities), I proudly add that I am building MindPeers out of Bir, Himachal. Seems like my own acceptance is the first step to normalize this. What do you think?
Feel/felt the same? Share please.
Inspiring girl!!! Reading this at 6:40 am.
I hail from Padhar a village lies in between Jogindernagar and Mandi NH21.
such a nice thought!! ispired by U !!