A Heart-to-Heart on Life, Work & Everything in Between

Every few months, I make my Notion journal public—sort of a heart-to-heart for those who’ve been following what I and Still are upto. Since I’m not super active on social media, this serves as a ritual where I reflect on what’s been mulling in my mind and heart, from work to life (and the blurred line between them).

The past year brought clarity to things that have rattled me in my late twenties, especially around ambition, family, and balance. I’m sharing some of those here, not because I think there’s any inherent wisdom in what I’ve learned, but simply because you might find something familiar in it. It’s not advice; I’ve grown a little tired of the endless advice-giving culture online. These are just reflections. Originally, I thought I’d whip up 29 lessons (since I just turned 29), but only 5 surfaced...

Bangalore: A Love-Hate Saga

The startup scene, with its mission statements, podcast fame, and LinkedIn glory, has always felt distant to me. For the last 2-3 years in Bangalore, I met so many founders doing the whole 'fake it till you make it' (sometimes too literally) and joined way too many gatherings where I was asked 'so how big is the breath work market?" or "what's your mission, really - I feel you're not thinking big enough" - that I realised I cant possibly belong here, or live a life where I take myself so seriously. I think small. And I love it.

I've also noticed this pattern in myself over the last 5-7 years: every few months, something new challenges me, and I dive in completely. So, thinking small, moving slow, and letting challenges find me like a quiet breeze—this is where I find my rhythm.

Family: The Heart of it All

This year, I realized that my deepest joys come from the quiet investment of time in my family and close circle. It’s not about grand gestures or milestones; it’s in the long, aimless conversations and the shared silences. When I slow down and create space in life, those unplanned moments happen more frequently, reminding me what really matters. Nothing comes close to the joy these times brings.

Redefining the idea of Home

In my twenties, I chased independence, thinking that “home” was wherever work or opportunity was. Moving to Bangalore was part of that pursuit—chasing a startup, but also chasing life on my terms. Now, I see home differently. It’s no longer about career convenience but about the quality of life. The pace, the energy, the way a place nourishes you in a deeper, essential way—these are the real markers of home. And while I once thought “home” meant moving where the action is, now I feel more drawn to slower or medium-paced places. I feel the place you live in dictates your wants, desires, routines and lifestyle to a huge extent. So it needs to have to family +++ health in its air, water and food, simplicity and love in its people, slow or medium paced life and low density (and great Wi-Fi connection because #remote life).

Ambition & Mission:

For the longest time, ambition felt like a badge of honor. I wore it proudly, thinking that being ambitious was the only way to make a mark. But now, I see ambition for what it is—just another expression of ego. A desire to prove, to achieve, to be seen. I genuinely feel free from the burden of ambition. I don’t know how to put it another way. (I acknowledge that means a solid goodbye to every VC I've been in touch with) But for me, ambition felt like carrying a weight I no longer need to bear. It’s liberating to let go of it. Purpose is coming from something lighter and quieter, and less obsessive.

I’ve also moved away from the idea of running a “mission-driven” company. It felt like a narrative that forced meaning - a story you tell yourself, that you're changing the world. "Well, Am I, really?"

The more I’ve peeled back layers of ego (thanks to pranayama and vipassana practice unintentionally), the more I’ve realized that ambition and mission can just be forms of attachment. When you let go of those attachments, you find a new kind of freedom—a deeper connection to your work and the people you serve.

I'm now connecting with practitioners and actually 'feeling' what they're feeling. If I'm pitching a corporate package to a founder, it's coming from a place of feeling fearless, content and a heart wanting to do good. It is such a high. It's a different thing that when you talk to the world with that emotion, the universe conspires and reciprocates too. I also realise, the feeling to truly 'serve' or volunteer your time and energy without ego is sacred, is precious. And those moments happen more frequently when one feels free of the need to prove or show. I hope with time, this feeling of service only increases and Still does more and more work in that direction too. ( BTW Beyond Business @ Still has its first 2 projects!)

Balance: A Dance, Not a Checklist

Someone once said that life is a dance between making it happen and letting it happen. That’s stuck with me. For a long time, I thought balance was about time management, clear divisions and perfect google calendars. But recently, I’ve come to realize that real balance isn’t about doing it all. It's about knowing when to push and when to step back.

I liked what Naval Ravikant said about this: like a lion that sprints and then rests, we aren’t designed to be constantly "on." A freedom mindset is far more sustainable than a growth mindset. For me, it looks like two weeks of sprinting, followed by a week of rest and play, exploring so many dimensions beyond the one dimension of 'work'. This weekend thing doesn't make sense to me, nor does 8 hours of productive work at stretch. We sometimes feel trapped by the cycles, norms and ecosystems around us, but I've realised if you're running your own thing (in a small way) everything is up for question, up to be customised to suit your happiness, calm and lifestyle - especially in the world we live in today. From business models, to growth targets, to team size, to funding - everything must solve for a life that truly brings peace. And let’s be honest, the real flex is freedom, not burnout.

And yes, amidst all of these reflections, I’m still running a company I deeply care about—so here’s a little update on what’s happening at Still and an invite to a journey of slower mornings, less screen time, more nature, and a life of calm and stillness.

• Annual Member Access - My desire to connect more personally with people has led me to create offline experiences and offer an Annual Member Access. Find more on the website here. This gives you access to the app’s entire program library for a year, along with direct support from me and special invites to events. And since you've made it this far in the blog, you deserve some incentive towards a stiller life : use this link (flat ?1000 off) to become an Annual Still Member.
• Companies – We’ve begun collaborating with companies that want to genuinely focus on improving team productivity and well-being. Since I’m personally involved in this, we’re only taking on 1-2 companies a month and turning them into case studies to prove that well-executed wellness programs can truly make a difference. If this piques your interest, feel free to reach out to me at [email protected].
• Silent Experiences: After experimenting with silent sessions in coffee shops and studios across Delhi and Bangalore, I’m excited that this offering is becoming more mainstream. We’ve partnered with cool brands to create unique silent experiences. Using ancient breathwork techniques and the practice of mauna (digital and verbal silence), we’ve designed in-person sanctuaries—no phones, no laptops, no social pressure. These come to life through co-branded retreats, workshops, and exclusive events, all invite-only for our members at the moment. If you want to do something together (and you're in Delhi/Mumbai/BLR) write to me!

We’re not super noisy on social media, and grow mostly through word of mouth. You can check out what’s happening at Still on our website and become a member. Inbox is open for cold emails and collaboration ideas always on [email protected]. Love and thanks of reading, do comment and share to let slow conversations spread too and see you more often hopefully!