Life Reset: Free from Pune to Embrace Doon’s Calm
My friends often ask why I left a thriving career in Pune and moved to Dehradun. The answer is quite obvious: In Pune, I was merely surviving; I wanted to get a life! I wanted to slow down, and for me, slowing down isn’t about doing less; it is about doing what matters to get a life reset. This move was the boldest decision of my life. And also the most liberating, too!
For over two decades, Pune provided me with everything that appeared to be success from the outside. I had a solid career. My social life was buzzing. I had all the conveniences of a big city. But somewhere along the way, I felt I had lost touch with myself. My days blurred into a series of deadlines, traffic jams, and back-to-back meetings. I had a house but not a home. I had achievements but no peace. And that’s when I realized I needed something bigger than a break. I needed a Life Reset!
My comfort in Pune had become a cage
Don’t get me wrong, Pune is a nice city. And it had been kind to me. It shaped me in my formative years. It taught me. And it gave me many opportunities I’ll always be grateful for. But over time, the very comfort it offered became a cage. I was running on autopilot. I was efficient, productive, and respected. But, deep within, I was also restless, exhausted, and strangely empty.
One evening, as I drove back home in bumper-to-bumper traffic, I was thinking: Is this what I really want from my life? And this question kept echoing. Every time I tried to silence it, it came back louder. At one point in time, I couldn’t ignore it anymore. I had been visiting my in-laws in Dehradun every few years. My wife and I had been discussing settling in the hills after retirement. The idea of mountains, fresh air, and a slower pace always fascinated the two of us. And I thought, if we have to do it 10 years from now, why not now? So we took the plunge!
The Journey itself was life-changing
I decided to drive down from Pune to Dehradun. And this journey wasn’t just about covering 1,900 kilometers. I felt I was transitioning from one life to another. On the highways, I took breaks at roadside dhabas and passed through sleepy towns. I heard the temple bells, and there were long stretches of silence. The road was kinda preparing me for what lay ahead.
Every mile I drove, I felt a little lighter. Layers of stress, ambition, and city noise seemed to peel away. By the time I reached Dehradun, I could feel I wasn’t just reaching a new city, but I was arriving at a new version of myself.
Take it slow, you’re safe here
Dehradun didn’t offer a grand welcome. Instead, it filled me with silence and quietude. The air smelled of pine and earth. The mountains talked to me through clouds and said, “Take it slow, you’re safe here.” Strangers smiled. Neighbours conversed. Life seemed to be a walk rather than a sprint.
The very first morning, I woke up to the sounds of the bird songs. I didn’t hear the traffic horns. I brewed a cup of coffee and went over to the terrace. I actually had time to sip the coffee, watching the sun rise slowly over the hills. It was a simple act, but it felt so good deep within. At that very moment, I knew I hadn’t just changed cities. I had changed my life for the better.
Learning the Art of Slow Living
In Pune, my calendar dictated my life. In Dehradun, it is the rhythm of nature that sets the pace. I started noticing little things again. The fog rolling over Mussoorie hills, the chatter of shopkeepers in the market, the joy of finding fresh local produce at a roadside stall; I was absorbing all of this bit by bit. I began taking long walks to feel the crunch of leaves under my feet.
I soon realised, slow living isn’t laziness. It is the art of being aware. You choose what matters, instead of rushing through everything. In the process, you start building real connections instead of endless contacts. You begin to savor moments instead of scrolling past them.
Yahan zindagi bhaagti nahi…
So, one of the things I cherish most about Dehradun is the people here. I happened to overhear a conversation between 2 friends in a cafe, “Yahan zindagi bhaagti nahi hai, bas chalti hai. Aur wahi kaafi hai.” (Here, life doesn’t run. It walks. And that’s enough.)
I met a retired army officer during a heritage walk who told me that this valley gave him back his health and peace after years of chaos. These weren’t big speeches, just casual conversations. But they carried truths I needed to hear.
Challenges of a Life Reset
Of course, decisions like these aren’t easy. I miss the comfort of old friends, the convenience of city life, and the buzz of being constantly busy. Some nights, I wondered if I had made the right decision. Old habits like checking emails late at night still tried to creep back in.
But every time I was in doubt, I stepped outside. I’d watch the sunset behind the hills or listen to rain tapping on the roof. Slowly, the noise inside me quieted down. That’s the thing about life reset. It’s not instant. It’s a process. You go through a lot of unlearning, relearning, and trusting yourself again.
So what has Life Reset Taught Me so far?
This city has become my biggest teacher. Here’s what it has taught me so far:
- Patience: Not everything needs to happen fast. Some things are beautiful only when they unfold slowly.
- Presence: Watching the sun go up feels more healing than a hundred rushed evenings.
- Perspective: Success can’t just be about titles or paychecks. It’s about waking up genuinely happy.
- Surrender: You don’t have to have everything under control. Sometimes, letting life flow is the most powerful choice.
What Life Reset Really Means?
For me, a Life Reset wasn’t about abandoning my past. It was about reclaiming my future. Leaving Pune to me was a symbol of stepping off the treadmill. Dehradun became the pause I didn’t know I was craving. It is a place where I can breathe, reflect, and finally hear my own thoughts again.
I thought slowing down meant falling behind. Now I know it, in reality, means catching up. I am loving catching up with myself, with nature, and with the moments that truly matter.
Closing Thoughts
I made a big move. But maybe you don’t need to move 1,900 kilometers. Maybe your reset can begin with something small. I can be as small as sipping coffee without your phone, watching the sunset without rushing to the next task, taking a slow walk just to be present. But if life feels like a blur, maybe it’s time to ask yourself: What would my Life Reset look like?
That’s the spirit I live by now. And this is the very essence I bring into my retreats. Because sometimes, the boldest thing you can do isn’t speeding up. It’s slowing down. It’s choosing calm over chaos, meaning over noise, and life over survival. If you’re craving that pause too, I’ve created a free guide just for you.
7 Simple Rituals for Slowing Down Your Day + a Mindful Mornings Playlist
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