Lifeshooling Adventures: Unraveling India with my 9-year-old

month, my 9-year-old son, Adi, and I embarked on an exciting life schooling adventure across five states in India. Leaving behind the traditional classroom setup, we explored the diverse cities of Nagpur, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, and Ranchi. Our journey was filled with incredible experiences and valuable learning moments.

As we travelled from one city to another, we had the pleasure of being hosted by friends and family, which enriched our understanding of each place's unique culture and way of life. The warmth of their hospitality made our journey even more special.

Adventures awaited us at every turn, and we eagerly tried activities like rock climbing and forest walks, immersing ourselves in nature's beauty. Each experience taught us important life lessons about courage, determination, and the joy of exploring the unknown.

One of the highlights of our journey was experiencing India's diverse transportation system. From the fast-paced metros to the charming autorickshaws and the nostalgic train rides, each mode of transport offered its own delightful experience.

Lifeshooling provided the perfect platform for Adi to learn valuable life skills. From booking taxis to taking care of his breakfast, he embraced the responsibilities enthusiastically and independently. Seeing him appreciate life's simple pleasures, like comfortable clothes, delicious food, and welcoming home, was heartwarming.

Throughout our journey, we had the privilege of meeting inspiring people who promoted self-learning and advocated for a simple way of living. Their stories and wisdom left a lasting impact on us, motivating us to explore our paths of knowledge and growth.

As we reflect on our life schooling adventure, we are grateful for the memories we created and the friendships we forged. This journey has been a beautiful reminder to cherish life's necessities, adapt to new situations with grace, embrace minimalism, and savour each moment in the present.

In this blog, we invite you to join us on our life schooling escapade and discover the wonders of unconventional learning and the beauty of living in the moment. Come along on this incredible journey as we share our experiences, insights, and the joys of life schooling in the vibrant and diverse land of India. Welcome to our world of life schooling, where every step is a new lesson, and every discovery is a treasure to be cherished.

Warm Hospitality and New Connections:

Throughout our journey, we were humbled by the warm hospitality of friends and family who graciously hosted us. Immersing ourselves in their homes allowed us to experience the true essence of each city. Moreover, the journey brought forth beautiful new connections with inspiring people, promoting self-learning and embracing a more straightforward way of living.

This makes us rethink the value of human connections and the importance of having such meaningful relationships in our lives.

It also made us realize the power of human Kindness and how much one can learn from connecting with different kinds of people.

Adventures Unfold: Rock Climbing and Forest Walking:

From scaling the heights of rock faces to strolling amidst lush green forests, our adventurous spirits soared during our time in India. The adrenaline rush of rock climbing and the tranquil serenity of forest walks offered us contrasting yet equally enchanting experiences.

Adventures like this can transform you unexpectedly, pushing you to explore yourself and your capabilities. They offer valuable life lessons about how courage and determination can help you surmount any obstacle.

Such experiences also bring forth a newfound appreciation for the world around us as we pause to savour the beauty of nature and its intricate workings.

Exploring India's Diverse Transport System:

India's transportation system is a kaleidoscope of options, and we were eager to try them all! From navigating bustling metros to haggling for rides in colourful autorickshaws, hopping on the iconic Indian railways, to zipping through traffic on Rapido bikes, each mode of transport added its unique flavour to our journey.

Travelling in unknown places, reading maps, getting lost, and finding our way back taught us the importance of being independent and resourceful.

These experiences gave us fresh perspectives and invaluable lessons about adapting to new situations.‍

Adi's Journey to Independence:

As a lifeschooler, my son Adi had the opportunity to take on responsibilities that contributed to his personal growth and independence. Adi's journey of self-discovery was genuinely remarkable, from learning to book taxis and managing his breakfast to developing an appreciation for the little things like clothes, food, and the places we stayed.

Kids are different when they are in environments that are not controlling them, and they love the opportunity to show their independence.

Meeting Inspiring Souls:

Our travels introduced us to remarkable individuals who championed self-learning and embraced the beauty of simplicity. Their wisdom and experiences left an indelible mark on our hearts and enriched our journey unexpectedly. Met Mr Gangadhar, who travels India and unschools his kids; Mr Abhijit Sinha, who is the founder of self-learning nooks in India; Mr Vinnet Shrivastava, who teaches scratch to kids; Mr Joe and his team, who are building the Wequil app, to help parents and kids develop their learning.

Their stories, struggles, and successes gave us insight into self-learning and minimalism. Listening to them sparked our enthusiasm for finding ways to learn more about ourselves and pursue meaningful paths.

Appreciating the Essence of Friendships:

Our journey taught us that friendships are the golden threads that weave the tapestry of our lives. Through life schooling, we nurtured connections with old friends and fostered new bonds with fascinating individuals. Each interaction celebrated shared experiences, laughter, and heartfelt moments that left an indelible mark on our souls.

We met many of our friends who have helped us in the past, my childhood friends, neighbours, and cousins. We stayed with them for a few days and celebrated the essence of friendship.

We get too busy to stop and say thank you, we don't make enough effort to meet people anymore, and we forget to appreciate the people who have been a part of our lives. Our journey reminded us of how blessed we are to have such amazing friends in our lives, and it's essential to cherish these relationships while they last.

Finding Beauty in Basic Necessities:

Lifeshooling gifted us a renewed perspective on life's fundamental necessities. As we traversed the vibrant landscape of India, we learned to appreciate the simple joys of wholesome meals, comfortable clothing, and the warmth of a safe abode. Embracing these essentials with gratitude revealed the beauty in life's most fundamental aspects.

When Adi reached home, he expressed how happy he was to have clean clothes in the cupboard. And the cycle that was waiting for him in the garage. He appreciated how blessed he was to have proper meals and a comforting bed every night.

Embracing the Art of Adjustment:

Adapting to new environments and situations was an art we mastered during our journey. Lifeshooling taught us the value of flexibility and openness to change. Sometimes we get so disturbed when things are not our way, but adjusting to alternate scenarios can add a new layer of growth and learning to our lives.

Our journey taught us that it is essential to accept the unknown with courage and be prepared for anything that comes our way. Embracing the art of adjustment helped us stay open-minded and discover unexpected gems.

Living with Minimalism at Heart:

Through life schooling, we discovered the power of living with less. Each city we explored beckoned us to shed unnecessary baggage, both physical and emotional. Embracing minimalism allowed us to savour the freedom of unburdened living and cherish experiences over material possessions.

Having limited clothes, carrying only things that mattered to us, and staying in simple yet comfortable accommodations taught us the beauty of living with less. This experience reminded us that our happiness does not lie in what we own but in what we do.

The Gift of Being Present in the Moment:

The heart of life's schooling lies in cherishing the present moment. Amidst the awe-inspiring landscapes and heartfelt conversations, we learned to quiet our minds and embrace the beauty of each passing moment. Being present enabled us to forge deeper connections, breathe in the essence of our surroundings, and find true joy in the journey.

We also realized that it is essential to make time for ourselves and practice self-care. Even when we were in an unfamiliar place, we gave ourselves permission to relax and observe our surroundings with curiosity. It's easy to get overwhelmed with all the things we need to do, understanding things that we can control is essential and from this, Adi realized the importance of focus.

We also realised that we hardly had any negativity when we were living in the present moment, this taught us the importance of being mindful.

Remote working and discipline:

We have also noticed that remote working has become a norm for us now. Ado and I had to practice utmost discipline while planning the day's tasks when we were at home or away during our journey. We understood how important it is to keep up with deadlines and commitments without compromising on other aspects of life.

We managed to do our work while on the go, using the time we had to be productive. One of the best things about life schooling was that we could live in different places and still manage to get our work done.

We are now more aware of how technology can make our lives easier when it comes to working remotely, and this has given us a newfound appreciation for all the opportunities that remote work provides us with.

We learned how vital it is to have the right attitude and tools for successful remote work. We discovered that with the right mindset and technology, you can work from anywhere and make an impact.

The value of Kindness: 

Our journey was a reminder that Kindness is essential for the growth of our world. From giving up seats to offering warm smiles, we saw how small acts of human connection can make a massive difference in people's lives.

Our numerous encounters with strangers and friends alike showed us that Kindness is contagious. It knows no bounds, like how our friend Joe and his daughter slept in the drawing room. At the same time, they offered a bed to my son and me on our visit to Nagpur; how our hosts in Hyderabad waited at the railway station at 2.30 am to pick us up for our onward journey, Like my friend in Bangalore and Chennai cooked for us and took care of us. I am so happy that Ado could experience the value of Kindness in such a profound way.

The Greatness of Self-Discovery:

At the end of our journey, we were left with a profound sense of accomplishment and growth. Lifeshooling was an incredible experience that allowed us to discover parts of ourselves we never knew existed. We found joy in exploring the unknown, humility in embracing change, strength in accepting uncertainty, and solace in the beauty of simplicity.

We learned that life is a journey of self-discovery, and taking the time to appreciate who we are and where we have come from is essential. As we embark on new adventures, may our hearts be filled with courage and an unquenchable desire for growth.

As our life schooling adventure across India draws close, we find ourselves forever transformed by the lessons we've learned. From appreciating the beauty of friendships to embracing the simplicity of life's necessities, from the art of adjustment to the liberation of minimal living and the gift of being present at the moment—we stand in awe of the wisdom bestowed upon us.

Lifeshooling has been a journey of discovery and an invitation to embrace life with open arms, an open heart, and an open mind. As we bid farewell to India's enchanting landscapes, we carry these lessons in our hearts and minds, guiding us in our future endeavours.