The Detour Was the Destination: Why I Became an Independent Consultant

Everyone uses social media to celebrate their wins and breakthroughs, but rarely to talk about their losses, failures, or breakdowns.

Success stories are easy to share. But what about the times marked by uncertainty, pain, and self-doubt — the moments that derail us, but also quietly push us toward transformation?

This is a story about one such moment in my life — a time when everything came undone. But also, how that difficult phase gave me the clarity and courage to begin again — differently.

The Crisis I Didn’t See Coming

Until August last year, I had spent six rewarding years working at a research institute. It was a job that shaped me deeply, and I had just decided to move on to a new role at a private university.

Around the same time, I started experiencing a series of health issues. What began as minor glitches quickly spiralled into something far more serious — an escalating series of symptoms, both physical and mental, that didn’t make sense.

And so began a frustrating, exhausting journey: from one medical specialist to another, from one medical test to another, but with no clear diagnosis in sight. Over a few months, I saw over 20 doctors, had four emergency visits, one prolonged hospital stay, and a barrage of medications — all while my health kept declining.

Trying to navigate a new job while battling an undiagnosed illness — and doing it all alone — was one of the hardest things I’ve ever faced. It wasn’t just the pain or fatigue. It was the crushing uncertainty of not knowing what was happening to my own body. And the debilitating health anxieties that followed soon enough!

The Village That Held Me

What eventually got me through was my people. I was — and remain — incredibly lucky to be surrounded by a community of friends and family who showed up for me in quiet, steady, beautiful ways.

To my parents, extended family, amazing friends, and everyone who checked in, brought food, came along to doctor visits, gave advice, or simply held space for me — thank you. You got me through my hardest days. ❤️

Rest as Resistance and Recovery

Eventually, I reached my limit. I knew almost instinctively that I would have to step away from work. I left my new job, returned to my parents’ home in Kolkata, and hit pause!

The next two months were focused entirely on recovery — physical, mental, and emotional. For the first time in years, I gave myself permission to just be.

Thanks to rest, family support, and lots of home-cooked food, I slowly began to feel like myself again.

When the System Doesn’t Fit Us Anymore

But as my health improved, a new challenge emerged: employment.

I knew I wasn’t ready for a full-time role, especially in a traditional workplace setting. So I began applying to remote and flexible positions — across academia, nonprofits, corporate, philanthropy, and policy sectors.

In two months, I applied to over 50 roles. I heard back from… none.

It was disheartening. But it also forced me to confront some uncomfortable questions:

• Was I not good enough? I didn’t think so. I’ve worked across India and the UK, built strong collaborations, and have over a decade of experience in science communication and public engagement.

• Were there no suitable jobs? There were — but most were either entry-level or didn’t align with my experience or values.

• Was I being too picky? Not really. I had applied across a diverse range of sectors and roles.

Eventually, I realised that the system wasn’t just built for me anymore. Traditional jobs no longer aligned with my needs or aspirations. And I wasn’t willing to compromise on my ethos, impact, or purpose either. That left me with a narrow path — but one that could still lead somewhere meaningful.

Rethinking & Redesigning My Life+Work

Clicked by Aparna Agarwal at the Sandbox Collective in Bengaluru

I began by asking myself:

• What kind of work do I actually want to do?

• What energises me?

• What aligns with my values?

• What feels sustainable in a world that’s constantly in overdrive?

• How could I design a life where I could prioritise my health; work with integrity; and still meaningfully contribute to the world around me?

  
  

And slowly but steadily, the idea of Independent Consulting began to take root in my mind.

The ability to work across sectors and geographies. The freedom to set my own pace. The chance to centre care, curiosity, and collaboration — not just in what I do, but how I do it.

Of course, freelancing also came with its own risks — financial, structural, logistical. So I spent time researching different models, especially within the Indian context, and narrowed in on what I didn’t want to do.

What remained was a more honest version of what I could do — and how I might do it.

Betting on Myself

After weeks of reflection, I made the leap.

I decided to give Independent Consulting a fair chance — not as a backup plan, but as a bold and conscious choice. One that would allow me to build a practice rooted in care, community, and conscious impact.

It hasn’t been an easy journey, but it’s been rewarding in ways I couldn’t have anticipated.

I know I’m not alone in this shift. The job market is challenging — especially for mid-career professionals in fields like science communication, social impact, and knowledge systems.

Many of us are burned out, disillusioned, or struggling to find roles that align with our values.

That’s why I want to focus on collaboration, not competition — and help build more synergistic ecosystems where people can thrive together!

How It’s All Unfolding

Fast forward to now — a few months into this journey — and things already feel much more energised!

My health has improved. I’ve been travelling, reconnecting with people, and investing in my own learning and growth. I’ve had rich conversations with potential clients that have helped me refine not just what I offer — but why and how I offer it.

This process has helped me slowly build an identity as an Independent Consultant that is expansive, grounded, and purpose-driven. There's so much more I want to share about this evolution, and I will continue to reflect and share more in future posts.

But for now, I just want to say: sometimes the detour is the destination.

And it’s okay to begin again. To begin afresh.

A Note for Fellow Travellers

To those of you who are navigating health issues, career shifts, or just uncertainty — I see you. I hear you. And you’re not alone.

If you'd like to connect, collaborate, or just chat about life, work, or collective sense-making — my inbox is always open for a virtual (or in-person) coffee!

If you're curious about how I might be able to support you or your organisation, here’s a short zine and a detailed overview of my consulting services.

Let’s build something beautiful and thoughtful — together.

~ Le fin ~