How to

Hi Sandhya,
I'm a 27 year-old advertising film executive, and have been working for the past seven years. Lately, I've been feeling jaded and uninspired by my work and would like to take a break and go off to a quiet little ashram somewhere for a while.



Of course, I know I can't do this, since I have a million things to take care of, including my plants, my house rent, and of course, assignments at work. Why do you think I am feeling like this? I read somewhere that the 20s are the new decade for quarter life crises, and everyone around me seems to be going through the same thing. Is there something I could do to stop myself from sinking further into disinterest?
Thanks, Shreya

Dear Shreya,
Hi. I completely understand what you are saying. I was like this a few years ago, and didn't know what to do, either. We are so caught up with doing what we have to do that we ignore who we are and how we are. This dullness of mind you are experiencing, is a reality check. It's a call to live and you mustn't ignore it.

You must take a break and go off to that little ashram somewhere for a few days or weeksu00a0-- whatever your soul needs. We are blessed that in this country there are many such places to go to. When I felt like this in 2006, I took off for a Vipassana course to Igatpuri, and it was a beautiful and life-changing experience for me.

Now, I go there every yearu00a0-- it's my food for soul. I feel replenished, refreshed, alive and ready to go each time I return from there. We owe it to ourselves, you know. Besides, it's our life to live, so why are we always borrowing time from it? Drop the pressure and the unnecessary guilt and get out for bit!

Oh, and honestly, don't worry about your plants and house and work. It all falls into place if you want to do something desperately. Do it for yourself. Give your plants to your friends to look after, take 10-day sick leave from work, and VAMOOSE!
Love, Sandhya