Far from the madding crowd

When one can really make it big in metros, why do some people settle down in smaller towns or remote places?
When the world becomes too much for you and you’re unable to take the stresses, strains, and madness that living in a big city entails, don’t you so wish you could take your life to a place whose pace sits easy and gentle on your nerves?
There are a few intrepid men and women who did just that.They opted out of racing with the rats and lowered their gears, without giving up their careers. And, no, these people were nowhere close to their retirement age when they chose to change the course and tempo of their lives.
Switch mode
Fashion designer Wendell Rodricks, who moved to Goa nearly two decades ago says, “I was always conscious of the fact that I wanted to get away from Mumbai, and be in an environment closer to nature and away from the constant visual bombardment. My fashion mantra is minimalistic, and Goa best suited my creative sensibilities.”
For writer Anuradha Roy, who moved from Delhi to Ranikhet, the move, which has made her dog the “happiest”, happened through “gradual transplanting.”
It was the desire to provide a better quality of life for his family that prompted graphic designer and artist TV Narayan to leave the shores of Mumbai for the backwaters of Kochi. Shares TV, “Things were getting claustrophobic in Mumbai, and Kerala seemed the perfect antidote. ”
A yearning for spiritual space and the need to get away from the neurotic pace of life in Gurgaon saw HR specialist Anish Joel repair to the quiet confines of the Himalayas. “I realised that the developing and mega cities are destroying the very peace of human existence,” says Anish.
Career takes a backseat?
Though the rhythm of life is undeniably calmer and peaceful in smaller places, doesn’t one’s career take a beating? “What I picked up of my work discipline and professionalism in Mumbai has anyway stayed with me. Being away from the hustle and bustle has helped me craft my work to a better quality,” asserts TV.
Wendell too insists that his decision to move to Goa has been the best decision he’s ever made. “Goa is an eco-friendly place, and is a great resource for natural fabrics and natural dyes. It has had a big part to play in all my celebrated creations from the bikini choli to the sarong skirt.”
The upsides
And here there are plenty! Anish, who continues with his mentoring and executive search work in addition to his numerous environmental commitments, says the biggest high for him is the fact he got himself out of the rat race and the rut.
“I live close to nature, and it’s such a thrill to be able to drink water from the wells and breathe in fresh air. The fact that Goa completely embraced this prodigal son helped too,” avers Wendell.
Outlining the positive aspects, Anuradha says, “Imagine having the mountains and forests all around. There’s none of Delhi’s aggression and anonymity. You have to be prepared for other people to be interested in your life.” TV says it’s the joy of being without a road map and having the time to stop and smell the roses that get his votes.
The flip side
Small cities might have their attractions, but can they really compete with big cities? Wendell agrees that in Goa it can take up to 12 hours to get a job done that would take less than two in Mumbai. But that’s sweating the small stuff, and losing sight of the bigger picture, he says. Citing the downsides, TV says, “You work in a less motivated and professional environment, so it’s up to you to be more self-driven.”
Not being able to catch the just-released movies and hang out with old friends are aspects that Anish counts among the negatives. On a serious note, though, he adds, “It takes time to adapt to the semi-rural surroundings, slow pace and limited facilities of a small town.”
Taking the decision
“When I announced my decision to settle in Goa, everyone thought I was committing professional suicide. My mother was mortified. Why would anyone want to leave Mumbai, the Mecca of the fashion scene in India at the time, for the obscurity of Goa, they screamed. But I heeded my heart and my head,” says Wendell.
He adds, “If there’s anyone out there who’s contemplating a change like this, I’d say go ahead, take a sabbatical for a year, and give it a good shot.”
Ask TV if he’s got any advice for those who have similar intent but lack what it takes to take the plunge, and he offers, “ The initial years may be frustrating, but it all works out fine as you slowly and lovingly change locals’ attitudes to work and their work ethics.”
“Change is always difficult, especially if it means giving up most of your notional comforts. But my message to all fellow friends who’re seeking this way of life is Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. We’ve just one life to live!” philosophises Anish.
Expert speak
HR consultant, Pritha, who’s recently founded Hobby Hub, a venture to enhance work-life balance of employees says, “Organisations are increasingly looking at ways and means to allow employees to de-stress, balance myriad pressures, and, yes, home and work. Not doing so eventually takes a toll on productivity, performance, brand equity, employee engagement and turnover.” Can companies afford it? No, not all can, she says. “They should allow the option of a ‘sabbatical’ where they can; allow the option to take their ‘job’ to a remote location, if infrastructure and logistics can be managed; allow ‘work from home’.
Listing the downside, she says, “Sometimes adjusting back to work pace if they want to come back is tough. Resentment and difficulty in measuring performance are likely. Also, not all jobs can be ‘remote’ wired.”
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