How Scuba Diving in Andaman encouraged me to quit my job

11/25/2016

How Scuba Diving in Andaman encouraged me to quit my job

I had no alternate plans. I wanted to change my software engineering profile within 2 years of joining TCS as my first job. Like every engineer, MBA was my backup plan. But, I guess destiny had something else in store for me. Eventually, with switching jobs to Infosys and then IBM, i started getting comfortable with my salary and spending all of it on my passions - badminton, travels, adventures, parties, friends and luxuries.
The mornings were depressing when I had to force myself out of the bed to drive to office for the monotonous desk job which never motivated me. I hated talking to machines, I hated interacting with people virtually on conferences. I would just look forward to complete my day’s job to go to the Badminton courts in the evening.

At the back of my mind, I always wanted an alternate career, which I could never figure out. I kept waiting for something to motivate me and some brilliant idea to strike, so that I could quit my job.
In my last project in IBM, I was working irregular hours, spending maddening hours on conference calls and ordering food from outside. I had no routine and started losing out on my healthy lifestyle that I've always tried to maintain, ever since! My inner voice told me that maybe it is a sign from the universe!

I strongly wanted to quit my job and give myself sometime off to figure out my next move. I calculated my little savings and counted the number of salaries I would still need. As the last month (November 2015) arrived, I got goosebumps thinking about the future days with no salary. The thought “Am i doing the right thing? what if.. what not..” started cropping up. I just hoped that I could gather enough courage to leave my steady flow of income. It was easier said than done.

I utilised my pending leaves to celebrate my birthday diving in the Andaman Islands. On one of the days, the sea was nasty and choppy. While we sailed through the rough tides, the divers on the boat got motion sickness too. Gearing up while the boat swayed 40 degrees each side, was impossible without the other person holding you. In this condition, when I stood on the boat platform for the giant stride, I wasn’t sure if I should dive or just let it go. There’s always a next time to dive at the same place. My heart silently whispered to me to take the stride and experience how it feels. I TOOK THE GIANT STRIDE!!

Giant Stride - Scuba Diving in Andaman

and swam to hold the line, I smoothly descended upto 30 meters of depth amongst various beautiful and colourful shoals of fish.

Line descend - Scuba Diving in Andaman

and I was surprised to experience the sea so calm. It was peaceful, steady, calm deep down there. The chaos and the fear of the choppy sea on the surface was soon forgotten.

Deep Dive - Scuba Diving in Andaman

The dive at Johny’s Ledge was my first deep dive and one of the best. I was lucky to spot 2 white tip reef sharks that day. It was my first shark spotting too.

Shoal of longfin bannnerfish - Scuba Diving in Andaman

Had I not gathered enough courage to take the giant stride into the choppy sea, I would have missed out on something very beautiful.
I applied this analogy to resigning from my job. On the surface of it, it looked scary and choppy, but in my heart I believed its going to be alright and beautiful. I came back home and within a week, I called my manager and told him about my decision. He asked me if I’ve already decided or is there any scope of change of mind, I firmly said, I have decided. I was the happiest person to have been bold enough to do this.

This was the just the first step towards something I would love to do, but i amazed myself with my confidence. The confidence I showed in my decision was enough for me to spend rest of the months of notice period in peace. I knew everything was going to be alright.

RavenousLegs - Solo Travel, Adventure Travel, Sustainable Travel

Read my other posts on "QUITTING MY JOB" series:

How Trekking changed my attitude towards life

What I'm doing with my life after quitting my job

33 Comments

Author

Namaste! I'm Medhavi Davda.
I travel to Evolve..
In Nature, I confide..
I find my calling in the Himalayas..
In the Oceans, I meditate..

A High-Altitude Trekker & PADI certified SCUBA Diver, I love exploring the heights and depths of the planet with my regular doses of mountains and oceans.

Discovering myself & life through nature, adventures, travels, sports and dance has been an addiction since my existence!

Quite fond of the natural & cultural diversity of India, I've travelled extensively in my own country before exploring international destinations.

I had left my 9+ yrs of career in Software Industry in a quest to make a living out of my passions. I packed my basics in my car (gave away the rest) and lived in different parts of Himachal Pradesh for 16 months. This invaluable time taught me to experience life from a broader perspective.

I'm currently living in Mumbai to work with an Adventure Travel company as a product manager for Scuba Diving. I continue living a minimalistic life.

RavenousLegs on Instagram

Anonymous

11/30/2016 14:59:59

I have been thinking about this long long long long long back. But tell me how to manage funds. I can never find out the answer of managing funds. That the reason i never went for quitting my job.

Medhavi Davda link

12/7/2022 16:27:11

I will write a post on that too. Give me sometime. I'm trying to write on all my experiences on "Quitting My Job".

Amrita

11/30/2016 21:00:24

Wow.. luvly analogy... will inspire many.. in many ways am sure... :)

12/7/2022 16:26:49

Thank u Amrita! I hope it inspired you for something!

Sweta

12/1/2016 02:16:39

Partner, Loved your story. You are walking the talk! Kudos.

12/7/2022 16:26:34

Thanks a lot partner! Hugs

Akshata

12/1/2016 08:40:27

So well written Medhavi. Very good analogy. Life does find answers in the most unlikely places. I had a similar experience while diving too. But that extra push and courage is what is more inspiring! Keep it going n all the best!

12/7/2022 16:26:18

Thanks Akshata. I've generally found my answers when I've pushed myself. I love the way u connect with my diving stories the most :)

Gautham Baliga B link

12/1/2016 10:47:10

Very Inspiring!!! I wish i could do Scuba Diving one day like u :)

Nicely expressed...

Keep writing :)

12/7/2022 16:26:05

Thanks Gautham. Whats stopping u from diving?

Ticker Eats The World link

12/1/2016 14:11:18

So very interesting and congrats on your decision. While I'm not to leave my work I can understand that if it's not your passion it's best to let go of it. The dive sounds exciting and again while I don't dive, I've been wanting to go to Andamans for a while now and this just makes me more determined to explore the region. Thanks

12/7/2022 16:25:52

Thank u. Blessed are the people who can make a living out of their passions. I'm still trying. Andamans is really beautiful, all the best.

Sara Essop link

12/1/2016 15:00:09

What an inspiring story and a great analogy too. I studied commerce but my passion lies in travel. Congratulations on your decision.

12/7/2022 16:25:36

Thanks a lot Sara. Keep the passion alive :)

Shrinidhi Hande link

12/1/2016 15:53:43

Inspiring. How has life been in past 1 year? Have you identified enough alternate sources of income?

12/7/2022 16:25:24

Thanks Shrinidhi.
That is exactly my next blog! I would post it in a few days.

Jean link

12/1/2016 16:14:09

Congratulations on taking a leap of faith. The 9-5 slog isn't for everyone. Funnily enough I made the same decision around the same time as you! Keep being so fabulous and doing what you love.

12/7/2022 16:24:47

Thanks Jean. I'm sure even you would be having a great journey after taking the decision.

christina link

12/1/2016 17:20:00

Congratulations on following your dream. Did you quit your job with the intention of never going back or is this a temporary situation? Hope you have a ball travelling!

12/7/2022 16:24:34

Thanks Christina. The intention was just to take a break and then find out a way to earn through my passion. I don't feel like going back to the corporates though. Let's see what destiny has in store for me next.

Skye link

12/2/2016 03:20:57

What a great story. It really does sound like you found what you really love. So great you realised you weren't in love with your desk job early on. I hope the adventure continues for you for a long time. Well done for following your heart.

12/7/2022 16:24:20

Thanks a lot Skye. I too hope that it continues :)

Iza Abao, Two Monkeys Travel Group Writer link

12/2/2016 08:18:10

I am happy for you because it is not easy to quit a job. I was stuck in a job from 2013 to 2015. I felt that I was not performing my best. I ended my contract last December 2015 and told myself that I had to make a career change. It took me almost a year to get my current job now. I was firm on my decision and did not bother to listen to others' opinion. I wish you success in your new endeavor. I would love to try scuba diving too in the future. = )

12/7/2022 16:24:06

Thanks a lot Iza. You have an inspirational story too! I'm yet to figure out my earnings, but I hope I can continue living my passion. Thanks for the motivation!

Jen link

12/2/2016 09:17:03

Congratulations on taking the huge leap! I'm sure it wasn't easy changing the direction of your life. How is it going so far? I hope everything is worth it!

Kreete link

12/2/2016 11:58:52

Well done! I always get motion sickness when I go on a boat dive. Even if it's not choppy, but once I'm in the water, it's all gone. Everything around is just so beautiful and calm. If I could, I would stay under water forever ha! I like the analogy with the rough seas on top but calmness waiting for in the bottom. Everything always works out. What are you doing now? :)

12/7/2022 16:23:38

Yes, everything works alright. I'm taking break from work, trying to live in the mountains, trying to choose a lifestyle for me and then need to work on making a living out of my passions.
https://www.ravenouslegs.com/unravenblog/after-quitting-my-job

The Travel Ninjas link

12/2/2016 13:08:54

Good for you. We only live once, so we must follow our passions. It's funny that scuba diving propelled you on your new journey in life. We got engaged while scuba diving in the Bahamas. That set us off on the journey of our lives as well.

12/7/2022 16:22:35

Thanks for the motivation. Your engagement over scuba diving in Bahamas sounds awesome :*

12/7/2022 16:23:18

Thanks for the motivation. Your engagement over scuba diving in Bahamas sounds awesome :)

Rajen

1/11/2017 17:10:49

That is really encouraging. I also loved scuba diving. However, I have done only once so far last June in Phuket but would love to go to Andaman soon now after reading this blog especially :) Thanks.

12/7/2022 16:22:22

Thank you Rajen, all the best

Meghna

1/18/2019 11:48:57

Hi Medhavi,

Ok, this is kinda random. But I work for a media company that's currently making a web series on young women balancing work and passion. Needed your help in finding some profiles. Would be great if there's any email id or number to contact you with more details. Look fwd to hear from you! Thanks a ton!

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