Being wannabe!
She: What is the sweetest of all sounds?
He: The sweetest of all sounds is the voice of the woman we love!
She: That’s cute! Is that an original? If yes, may be it’s working on me.
He: Think of it as one then! 😉 However, it is a 17th Century saying.
She: If it has been stated for ages, it must be true.
He: Sure it is, but there are some things which sound better.
She: What do you mean?
He: The sounds of anchor chains, plane motors and train whistles.
She: You talk like you are some kind of a traveller.
He: Haha! No, I am not. I am just a wannabe…
If you are reading this, thank you for sparing your precious time which you would have otherwise spent scrolling through dozens of oh-so-meaningful and not-so-meaningful posts on Facebook. And don’t tell me you did not judge at least one post thinking that the person is such a wannabe! 😛
I have been at the receiving end of many a question about the name of my website. The word “wannabe” is used to define a poser, which is demeaning and derogatory. While I did agree with them somewhat, let me tell you about this experience…
When I was living in Delhi, my friends and I would attend many rock concerts, especially one called GIR – Great Indian Rock. We would always be amused by the bunch of youngsters who would come to the concert, posing
and flaunting their best metal t-shirts, long hair and tattoos.They would be smoking away to glory while stealing a clandestine sip from a bottle of coke laced with Old monk rum every now and then.
It was a ritual for us to go to the concerts and make fun of them – we called them wannabes. However, as the years passed by, the same “wannabes” went on to rock the stage while we remained a part of the crowd, now head banging to their music and seeking a chance to befriend them.
MORAL OF THE STORY
The world at large tells you to be yourself, and not try to be someone else. But, no one tells you how! So, if you want to be like someone you idolize, you need to start with being a wannabe and along the way of your journey, you will end up discovering yourself.
And with that thought, let me briefly share with you my journey on why I decided to start this project called thewannabetraveller.com
April ‘2012: My brother found a job in Singapore. So while moving out, he handed me the keys to our music studio business (Carnival Underground) and asked me to start managing it. [ this is another story which I will share someday ]
January ‘2014: I had completed little more than 9 years with American Express, however a well-paying successful career did not seem fulfilling. While I was managing the studio business, I found my passion for music again and thought of taking a break from corporate life. I somehow landed an interesting job with a music start-up. However, it was not well-paying. I had to decide quick and I was confused. High-paying Job which was mundane or Low-paying job which could be adventurous?
February ‘2014: It was 5 minutes past midnight. I packed my laptop bag and was ready to leave from work.On my way out, I found a crushed piece of paper on a table. I picked it up to throw it away, but I was curious to see what it read, and as strange as it may seem, I found my answer.
I took the l
eap of faith and quit my corporate life after 10 years to embark on a journey which was completely unknown. I was unaware of the road ahead but I was ready to give it a fair chance…
Last words from my ex-VP when I put down my papers…
Saheb, you are entering an industry which can prove to be nasty and dirty. However, do remember that you will have a story to tell which most of us can only imagine!
I can assure you that every single day for the next one year was nothing short of a roller coaster ride!
December ‘2014: My studio business was doing pretty well, so I decided to quit my job with the start-up and plan my first international vacation. The destination was an easy choice. Singapore!
March ‘2015: I had no clue this would really happen. I came for a vacation and I found a new home.
21-May ‘2015: Yes, exactly 2 years ago today, I moved to Singapore and my life has changed ever since.
Initial days are always exciting until routine kicks in, and Routine my friend is boring!
I somehow did not want to get too comfortable with my 9 to 6. I figured that a major portion my social media indulgence and internet browser history comprised of travel blogs and videos. Also, during my first corporate innings, whenever I found myself too stressed, the only thought that came to my mind was to run away to some place far and wide. But that did not happen quite often. My mind was clouded with a million prejudices and inhibitions of why I should not travel.
Life gave me a second chance to start afresh. Why not make the most of it and instead of just thinking to travel, why not I really put some action to the plans. With that thought, I pledged to fulfill my dream to embark on a lifelong journey to keep learning and keep growing (and not just to run away from the mundane).
So now, after 8 years, 25 countries and a little experience, I have decided to share my stories with all you wannabes who sit behind a laptop all day, have a hopeful browser history and a dream to reach out and achieve your dreams, someday!
The mission of the website is to empower individuals to develop a growth mindset and achieve their full potential through curated content, tools, and resources.
My vision is to create a global community of individuals who are equipped with the knowledge and resources to overcome obstacles and achieve success, by fostering a culture of continuous learning, self-improvement, and personal growth. This website is the go-to destination for anyone looking to develop a growth mindset and create positive change in their life.
If you have read till the end, please do leave a comment and feedback. I am not a writer, so do expect a lot of errors. All your feedback will be highly cherished and appreciated. StayWannabe!
P.S. All photographs in the website have been taken by me using an iPhone6 only.
Into the wild image source: http://cinemababu.com
Love this Saheb…….we can all but dare to dream. Only a few of us Do!
I cannot agree with you more Sangita. I hope I can inspire at least one person to dare, to dream and to execute 🙂
I enjoyed reading every bit of it buddy.. curious for more … 🙂
Thank you Ankur. I will try my best to keep the site updated with more and more interesting stories 🙂
As a recent travel encounter we had, this was very well written my friend. To many more!
Hey Sam,
Thank you for your kind words. I am sure our paths in life will cross again. I’ll stay a wannabe and see you somewhere, someday 😉
Hey Saheb,
This is some inspirational stuff.
I quit my job at amex after 10 years..I am in Germany now to do my masters..this is what I wanted to do but just couldn’t get the courage to do so for past so many years ..I am alone here figuring out things on my own but loving it ..I could totally relate to your blog ..
Stay blessed bro!!
Cheers
Varun
Hi Varun,
Glad you liked it. Yes, I did see you post about moving to Germany, and I will repeat the same words that I was told once…
“You will have a story to tell which others can only imagine!
Stay connected and stay wannabe!
Best of luck,
Saheb
Great writing! Love the words, love the photos. And don’t ever forget, you are the Master of your Fate, you are the Captain of your Soul. I so wish I had written those words but they are a great mantra to travel by x
Thank you so much for Lisa. Yes, I will keep your words in mind at all times.
See you when i see you 🙂
Nice, breezy writing style and a good story to go with it. It is quite funny to see the screen grab of “Wannabe”.
To many more adventures!
Thanks a ton Vin! One of the biggest reason I was procrastinating was because I was unsure how to write. I am not a writer. Then I thought, I will write just as I feel it 🙂
Gal you liked the style. Gives me much motivation to write more.
Loved it! Now I am wannabe saheb
Go ahead an be one. The idea is to inspire more people like us to travel and see that there is much more to life, and this is what i think about it…
One life. Keep it Raw, keep it Rustic and stay Happy 🙂
Great writing…enjoyed every bit of it and felt like being a wannabe Traveller! Looking forward to more experience sharing by you Saheb!
Thank you so much Anu! I am glad you liked it. I will keep trying harder to write more interesting stuff. Do subscribe and let others know as well. The more the support, the more the motivation 🙂
I loved the way you framed the story… light, introspective and a leap into an undoubtedly brighter future, worth cherishing.
Sometimes, we just need that spark to realise the great potential we all have within us. I am confident that with your way of expessing yourself, your travel adventures and your story, you will inspire a whole new world of Wannabes to emerge.
Good Luck…to ask the wonderful adventures ahead.
Man, you have come a long way indeed … all the best … loved the write up and can relate to it … what I liked the most was “a story to tell”
Loads to be done yes ! Write up is simple yet relatable to one’s story for all who are some bit a “wannabe” inside !!
Cheers !
Thank you Udit! Trust me you have also been one of the inspiration behind this.
The way you always put effort to make everyone around you “happy”, was ever so inspiring, whether it be Holi/Diwali celebrations for kids in your society or taking the initiative to paint Ghaziabad to be awesome.
Do subscribe and share with others so that I can do my little bit to inspire others like you do 🙂
Awesome start Saheb!
Awaiting in your write-ups to the places you traveled (keen as loved the fact your travel plans are random, those are the best).
Wish you loads of luck
Thank you so much Kajal. Yes, random is fun as I like to surprise myself and get surprised in the bargain 😊
Super Duper Saheb!!!! The Socrates quote gave me goosebumps and so did the entire piece of your site. Keep following your dreams. This, right here, is INSPIRATION!!! WAY TO GO KETO.
Thanks a bunch brother. I am trying to. Hopefully being a wannabe is what I should have done a decade ago 😊
Wonderfully written Saheb! I loved the flow of the wannabe story. Looking forward to many more. All the best.
Thank you so much. If you are saying you loved the flow, I can be sure that it was not as bad as I thought it is 😂
You are a very courageous and courageous modern hero.
In today’s society, there are many people who don’t want to escape from their comfort zone, but I saw your choice and you chose to change.
I like the quotes of Socrates and Plato:“An unexamined life is not worth living.” “The fool watches the soul with the body, the wise man watches the body with the soul”.
I think I saw more about our common characteristics.
Even if we only have 10 years life left in the world,
I wish I could do something meaningful.Let this 10 years of life more exciting.I am willing to accept all kinds of challenges every day to feel the meaning of life.
It’s my dream to travel around the world just like you.Because in the journey, we can always find a better myself.
I look forward to one day with you to continue to complete the travel we have not finished ( Travel around the world).
Haha, Thanks for such kind words Meizhou!!
But I am no Hero. I am and will always want to stay a wannabe. Hero’s have super powers and equally super responsibilities.
I am just a guy next door trying to tell my funny stories through my blog.
However, I do accept your compliments with humility. Thank you 🙂
I believe you are a fan of Socrates and Plato. I haven’t really read their philosophy, but somehow just a note on a piece of trash caused a butterfly effect.
I understand your comment on finding meaning in what we do and hence this blog. This gives me a sense of meaning.
And with respect to world travel, see we connected ver this blog, so who knows when we meet and travel to a few places together?
Hoping to see you sometime soon in life 🙂
Until then, keep travelling and Stay Wannabe!