Introduction
I haven't blogged in a while; a career transition was the obvious reason, but if I'm being honest, apathy played an equal part in this long pause. So, why now? Because I am actively working to reclaim old habits and routines. And what better way to start than by sharing the journey that brought me here and making Australia my new home
2018
Part 1 - The Plunge
Remarkably, 2018 was a year I will not forget easily. Not because I made a fortune, but because it was a pivotal moment in shaping my resilience. Navigating some unprecedented political dynamics at work, I found myself having to quit my job, rather dramatically. What followed, however, was an unexpected and phenomenal drive to prove myself.
With strong motivation and the steadfast support of a dear friend, I launched this brand (Smart Complianz). Burning the midnight oil, I could generate quality leads, build a sales pipeline, and establish a stable income. Through referrals, I went on to consult with CPG clients as a solo consultant, managing compliance across organisations. It was an experience that reinforced the value of meaningful relationships and, above all, of believing in oneself.
Part II - Scale
Within a year, the hypothesis was proving itself. Confidence in scaling grew steadily, yet the worst-case scenario of financial stress was never far from my thoughts. As a result, I chose the safer path of organic growth.
Sharing an office with my friend (Bal), an entrepreneur running a customer care centre, we spoke candidly about business loans, mounting interest, and the elusive task of breaking even. Those late evenings became a kind of mutual counselling, two people quietly steadying each other through the uncertainty.
That said, I was completely swamped with writing, lead generation, meeting clients, and delivering on commitments. But I never felt the strain. If anything, every challenge only sharpened the appetite to learn, improve, and keep pushing forward.
Part III - Swerve
It was my routine to take a 30-minute walk during the evening break. On one such stroll, I came across a small-time immigration consultant offering assistance with permanent residency. Out of curiosity, I stopped to check my compatibility and the prospects of living abroad.
But this moment didn't come from nowhere. In the background, a close family friend (we fondly call him Guruji), who had already settled in Melbourne, had long been nudging me in this direction. While he was not only championing the idea, he was also keeping a watchful eye on how I was faring with the new venture. With these two forces converging, I finally walked into the immigration office.
My objective was straightforward: a balanced lifestyle, international exposure, and more worldly experience for the kids. That intention stands tall even today.
Part IV - Two-pronged approach
After the initial consultation, I set the process in motion, including Skill Assessment, IELTS, and eventually securing the required score to enter the general pool. However, after a few months, it became evident that an invite was unlikely through that route. Subsequently, the consultant then recommended shifting to the State Sponsorship stream, which ultimately proved to be the right call.
Through all of this, uncertainty was a constant companion, uncertainty about the invite, the visa, and perhaps most of all, about building a career far from home. Rather than letting it stall me, I relentlessly pursued new client prospects. Fortunately, this paid off, and I secured a couple of retainer projects as an empanelled consultant, each running for about a year. So while the application wound its way through the system, work carried on steadily.
On a personal note, none of this would have been possible without the quiet strength of those around me. My parents and in-laws not only backed my proposal but also generously sponsored the visa expenses. A dear friend, Raju, stepped in with the skill assessment fee when I needed it most, a gesture I will not forget. And my former managers, Moorthy Sir and Sabs, who respected my decision and went out of their way to support me with references, their trust meant a great deal.
Part V - The Take Off
Finally, after a wait of over ten months, the visa came through. I informed my well-wishers and retainer clients about the move, and without exception, everyone extended their warmest wishes. More importantly, they agreed to continue on a remote delivery model, which meant the work could travel with me.
At the end of 2019, I left Chennai and landed in Sydney. The emotions in that moment are difficult to put into words — excitement, anxiousness, and above all, a deep, steady optimism about stepping into the unknown.
Within a week, I made my way to Melbourne to meet my friend, spending four wonderful weeks over the year-end break. My habit of observing quietly, picking up cues and noting patterns served me well here. Those weeks in Melbourne offered an invaluable first read on the cultural shifts and lifestyle in Australia. Some lessons from that time I will carry with me for as long as I live here.
Part VI - New Beginning
If there is one word that defined me in the early 2020s, it is focus. I was crystal clear about what I wanted — to build a life here and find meaningful work. With a quiet but unshakeable self-belief, I made relentless attempts to break into the job market. Looking back, the energy was remarkable, highly motivated, and I never once second-guessed myself.
A job reference from my Melbourne friend changed everything. It opened the door to a two-round interview at a digital agency, which I cleared, and just like that, my career down under had begun. I will remain grateful for that gesture forever. Thank you, Guruji.
Our first suburb, affectionately known as Little India, eased the transition beautifully — familiar faces, familiar food, and that familiar energy that makes a foreign land feel a little less foreign. It was the perfect soft landing. In time, we moved on to a new neighbourhood, found our community, built good social connections, and quietly but steadily settled into our new life. The new beginning was well and truly underway.
Part VII - The 2 Wisemen
In the first few months, I came across two souls who left a lasting impression, quite by accident, as the best encounters often are.
The first is my landlord, Kaidenji, a generous and remarkably equanimous gentleman. There is much I could say about him, but one act of kindness above all others stays close to my heart. During the pandemic, when my health took a serious downturn, and I was hospitalised for several days, he stood by us like a caring parent. His support during that difficult time was nothing short of extraordinary.
The second is my master, Michael. He drives for Uber, and I first met him on the way to my very first interview. A staunch devotee of Hare Krishna, he left me astonished, effortlessly chanting Sanskrit verses from the Bhagavad Gita and the Bhagavatam as we drove. In that moment, anxious as I was, he felt like a messenger sent at exactly the right time. Over the years, his friendship has brought about a quiet but significant change in me, and the spiritual knowledge he has imparted is something I truly cherish.
They may see me as just a fond acquaintance, but for me, these two men have been nothing short of pivotal.
Part VIII - The Continuum Paradox
Time flies. Over the past few years, life has filled up beautifully with new additions to the family, vacations, new friendships, and rhythms that now feel like our own. Starting from ground zero, simply sustaining was itself a major achievement.
Yet as time passes, a quiet question lingers. Is this enough? Is it time to wrap up here? The honest answer lies in one persistent feeling: the extended family being elsewhere leaves a sense of incompleteness that is difficult to shake.
But then again, does proximity truly define relationships? With technology advancing the way it is, and with travel becoming increasingly seamless, commuting between continents no longer feels like the barrier it once was. Families have grown more nuclear, and stabilising the upbringing of children has become the central priority. These are the forces that shape the calculus.
And so the paradox holds. There is fulfilment on one side and longing on the other, and perhaps that tension never fully resolves. That said, if the need arises, change is inevitable, and there will be no hesitation in embracing it.
Part IX - Way Forward (Disclaimer: My personal view and may not resonate with everyone)
(Disclaimer: My personal view and may not resonate with everyone)
The rat race is something everyone claims to despise, yet most of us participate in it, whether by choice or by circumstance. I am no exception. But when it comes to how I navigate it, I have learned to move at my own pace, unbothered by peer pressure and unconcerned with how that looks to others.
I am content and deeply grateful for every moment and every lesson this chapter of life has offered. There are no grand plans on the horizon. Instead, I am taking one thing at a time and working it through with full attention.
Looking ahead, the goals are simple but deliberate. The first is to deepen my professional craft, staying curious and continuing to grow as a practitioner in an ever-evolving digital landscape. The second is to invest more meaningfully in the people around me, nurturing the relationships that have quietly sustained me through every transition. The third is to give back in whatever capacity I can, whether through mentoring, writing, or simply being present for someone navigating a path similar to mine.
Nothing about this is extraordinary by conventional measures. But it is mine, and that is enough.
"Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants." — Epictetus
