From Conformity to Calling: A Journey Toward Meaningful Work

I grew up in India—a place often described as spiritual, yet my early experiences of school and career choices felt more rigid than reflective. Like many others, I followed a path shaped by expectations, not necessarily by personal alignment. Looking back now, it wasn’t wrong. It just wasn’t mine.

The Early Map Was Already Drawn

In my school years, the script was largely written: do well in exams, aim for engineering or business, and stay ahead of the curve. Even language was part of that conformity—speaking Hindi in class felt discouraged. I wasn’t rebellious, just... drifting. I wasn’t failing, but I wasn’t engaged either.

Psychology fascinated me, but I ended up in business school. Not because I was pressured, but because I hadn’t yet found the tools or space to explore what I truly cared about. I adjusted, adapted, and at times even excelled. But deep down, I was wondering: What would it feel like to be fully interested in what I’m learning?

When Learning Stopped Feeling Like Work

That question found an answer when I encountered Ayurveda. What started as curiosity grew into something deeper. I’d study for hours, not because I had to, but because I wanted to. It didn’t feel like chasing a goal—it felt like being in conversation with something living.

This was new. And it made me reconsider a lot of what I had called “success” up to that point. I began to think less in terms of what I was achieving, and more in terms of how I was experiencing my work.

Redefining Success Gently

Today, people still ask, “Are you successful?” And depending on how you define it, the answer varies.

• Am I doing work that feels real to me? Yes.

• Is it always lucrative? Not always.

• Do I feel aligned? More than ever.

  
  

This doesn’t mean I’ve figured it all out. I still navigate the same practical concerns as anyone else. But I’ve come to appreciate that success, for me, now includes a sense of inner congruence. That may not be everyone's definition, and that’s okay.

Navigating the Tensions of Growth

As Ayurveda gains more global recognition, I sometimes wonder: are people drawn to it for its depth, or its demand? It's not a criticism, just a curiosity I hold gently—even in myself. It’s easy to get pulled between purpose and practicality. I still do.

What helps me is returning to the intention behind the work. When I feel connected to what I’m offering, even simple tasks feel meaningful. When I’m disconnected, even meaningful work can feel transactional.

There’s no clean line between purpose and profession. It’s a dance. And I don’t always get it right. But I’ve found that naming the tension gives me room to stay in the dance with awareness, instead of being led by habit.

Listening Inward

My journey hasn’t been linear. There were detours, doubts, and slow revelations. But through all of it, one quiet thread has endured: the search for work that feels like an expression—not a performance.

If you’re in a place where you’re questioning your own path, I don’t have answers. Just a few questions that helped me. Perhaps they’ll help you pause and reflect too.

Reflection Questions

1. When in your life have you felt most engaged—like time disappeared?

   • What were you doing? What parts of you felt activated?

     
     

2. What does "success" mean to you today?

   • How has that definition changed over time?

     
     

3. Are there moments in your work when you feel a gap between what you do and what you value?

   • How do you hold that tension?

     
     

4. What kind of learning excites you?

   • When was the last time learning didn’t feel like effort?

     
     

5. If no one else could define your path—what questions would you ask yourself right now?