TL;DR 24 years, one lesson
Twenty-four years of trying everything — design, startups, sports, travel, failure — taught me one thing: life is more about the journey than the destination. Stay curious, learn how to learn, and treat failure as part of success, not its opposite.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned by now, it’s that life isn’t about mastering one thing but rather about constantly evolving through many things. At 24, I’ve dabbled in everything: from graphic design and video editing to exploring AR, VR, and now, development. I’ve done my fair share of internships, played sports, traveled, and spent nights reading or having deep conversations about life.
Through all of this, one simple truth keeps coming back: life is more about the journey than the destination.
Learning How to Learn
The world often teaches us that we need to find a singular path and stick to it. But if there’s anything I’ve discovered, it’s that real growth happens when you’re not afraid to pivot. I dove into video editing and learned tools like Photoshop and XD, despite having zero drawing skills. Designing proposals for my own company wasn’t a detour; it was a stepping stone. What I learned wasn’t just a skill but the art of adapting and knowing when to hold on and when to move on.
The Power of Trying Everything
There’s beauty in trying everything. We often think we need to find that one passion, but I’ve learned that fulfillment comes from embracing the curiosity to try it all. The more you explore, the more perspectives you gain. Each skill, every experience adds a piece to the puzzle.
My travels have been eye-opening, whether it was exploring the vibrant streets of Chennai, relaxing on the beaches of Goa, or immersing myself in the culture of Rajasthan. Each place offered a new perspective, teaching me that the world is too big to stay in one spot.
Curiosity: The Fuel That Never Runs Out
Curiosity has always been my driving force. It’s what led me to pick up a guitar and learn to dance. These pursuits remind me that life isn’t something you figure out once and then coast through. Every day brings something new, and the moment you stop asking “what if” or “why” is the moment you stop growing. For me, growth is everything; it turns the mundane into something meaningful.
Learning to Fail
One of the toughest lessons I’ve learned is that failure is inevitable. I experienced this firsthand with a startup I launched that ultimately didn’t survive the challenges of COVID. But here’s the catch: failure is not the opposite of success; it’s a part of it. Each stumble taught me resilience and how to adjust my approach. Even though that venture didn’t work out, my passion for startups remains strong.
Patience is a Superpower
In a world where we crave instant gratification, I’ve learned that patience is a rare and valuable skill. Whether in fitness, career growth, or personal relationships, good things take time. Abs don’t appear overnight, skills don’t develop in a week, and relationships don’t deepen in a day. Learning to appreciate the process is one of the most underrated superpowers we can have.
Balance Is the Secret Sauce
Life can feel like a juggling act. Between work, sports, travel, reading, and maintaining relationships, it’s easy to feel stretched. I was a tennis player with a bad temper, which led to conflicts with my coach and even some weight gain. But after pivoting to football, I lost around 20 kg in a year, proving that balance between pushing yourself and knowing when to rest is essential. You can’t go all-in on work and neglect other aspects of life, or vice versa.
Real Connections Are Rare, but Necessary
One of the most important lessons? Relationships. It’s not about having a large circle but about nurturing those that truly matter. Deep conversations, late-night talks about life — those moments are what stick. Surrounding myself with people who challenge my thinking has been invaluable.
Travel: Learning Beyond the Textbooks
Travel has taught me that every new place offers a new perspective. From the chaos of Bangalore to the serene landscapes of Wayanad, each experience has opened my mind and reminded me how small my problems can be in the grand scheme of things.
The Takeaway? Stay Curious.
If I could tell my younger self one thing, it would be this: never stop being curious. The moment you think you’ve figured it all out is the moment you stop growing. Life is constantly shifting, and the only way to keep up is to keep asking questions, exploring, and learning. Curiosity isn’t just for the young; it’s the fuel for anyone who wants to live fully.
“In the end, we only regret the chances we didn’t take.” — Lewis Carroll.
At 24, I’ve taken chances, tried new things, and learned that nothing is ever wasted. Every experience counts — the failures, the wins, the detours. They’re all part of the bigger picture. The key is to keep moving forward, trusting that even when it doesn’t make sense now, it will one day.
Here’s to the journey, to endless learning, and to the unknown. Because that’s where life really happens.