FROM THE (unpublished) ARCHIVES: 6 reasons I should quit my job and go live with my grandparents in the mountains (2015)

The 5:30 am scheduled alarm on my phone went off. Trained by routine, my hand extended out in the direction of the “...” music, picked up the phone and brought it to my face. I squinted open half an eye, just enough of a slit between the lids for me to spot the “Dismiss” icon. Alarm dismissed, I read the date displayed on the home screen; 21/10/15 –my Wednesday morning had officially begun.

Throwing my phone aside, I slipped back into a state of semi-consciousness, trying to find the location in my mind where I had left off a dream in progress. My senses soon connected with the dream, in an inevitable motion. In the dream, I watched myself resigning the job I now hold, to go away and live with my grandparents in their home in Kerala.

The rude interruption of my second alarm jolts me out of the pleasant green mountains, and teleports me back to my bed. I sit up on my bed, in awe of my dream! I loved the idea of quitting my job and going to live with my grandparents for a while. It was like the person inside me was trying to give me a project to work on! I didn’t understand why, but I was determined to find out.

I got out of bed and went to work as usual. Unlike some other dreams, this one was hard to forget; it was continuously on the back of my mind. With a little bit of rummaging in my brain, I was able to come up with the reason why I had had such a dream. This is no Freudian interpretation, but it made more sense than that!

I came home and made this list of the reasons for why I should quit my job and go live with my grandparents in the mountains:

1. Because I am a Social Worker and the job I currently have, although at an NGO, has nothing to do with social work.

A recent discussion with a senior social worker reminded me of why I studied Social Work in the first place. It is no complex theory, but a simple need to care for people who have no one, to make people feel loved and cared for, and to help them become the best versions of themselves that they can be. And if I can't do what I want to do here, then why stay?

2. Because I love mountains and always dream of living in the mountains:

Who doesn't? And being able to make that dream a reality, even if just for a year or so, would definitely be worth it. Enough said!

3. Because it will make them happy:

Duh, right? I am sure it will make my grandparents happy to spend time with a granddaughter they only see for a few days every alternate year. They always ask, during every phone call, when we are visiting next. I've also learnt, from the Old Age Home run by the NGO I now work at, that senior citizens crave interactions with others and that they are prone to loneliness. They don't necessarily have to be abandoned (aka thrown out of the house); they can feel alone even when living with an inattentive family.

My dad did question me when I gave him this reason. He asked me “what will happen when you decide to leave?”

4.       Because I won’t be completely useless to them: I know I’m not exactly skilled in house work, cooking and other things because I never do any at home. But if I go to live with my grandparents, who are old people, hello, I'm sure I'll make myself useful with the strength of my youth. Maybe I'll even pick up some skills while I'm at it! Besides, my Ammachi is such a great cook, maybe she has a few secret recipes she wants to pass on to me!

5.       Because I will get hours to do some inspired writing

It will be my own version of Walden: I am an introvert, and I always welcome a break from the noisy crowded city just for some quiet. And there are just so many picturesque spots wherein I can sit and write! I could then even send some samples of my work to magazines, get published! NOTHING would make me happier!

6. I can finally experience some independence!

I love my parents, okay, but I have lived my ENTIRE LIFE with them. And I've always lived in the same city, except for a month this summer when I went away for an internship. While I have always imagined that I'd live alone someday, this summer really showed me what I've missed for 25 years of my life. I'm ready for more from life, and I believe that my grandparents' place in Kerala would be good place to start (without giving my parents a heart attack)!

So, I've dreamt the dream, I've made the list. Now for the tough part - convincing my parents. Wish me luck!