Part1: The story of a solo traveler who went missing

When I think of family, the phrase “yaaru pechayum kekadha adanga pidari” comes to mind. As I reflect on my childhood, the memories that surface are often the ones that left me hurt. But if writing can be a balm, let me try to capture the good—the silver linings hidden in those moments, the lessons my younger self carried forward.

The most breathtaking moments of my childhood weren’t tied to the house I lived in, but to the home I created within myself. My true joy lay in the time I spent away from home.

What drives a ten-year-old to leave home at every chance she gets? My excuses were endless: meeting friends, attending special classes, or solo playdates. In hindsight, I see now that I was a loner even then.

Loners aren’t people who are left alone; they’re people who choose solitude. They thrive in the quiet of their own thoughts and activities. It’s simply their nature—nothing to correct, adapt, or fix. Being a loner and being an introvert aren’t the same; one can be either, or both, or neither.

I was a child constantly running away—not out of rebellion, but in search of something that would make my heart and soul happy. That’s not an easy choice for a kid to make. But I made it anyway.

So now, I ask myself: what was my ten-year-old self searching for? What unfulfilled desire still lingers in me? As an adult, I feel it’s my responsibility to uncover those answers and honor that little girl’s dreams. To ensure she never feels lost again.

And that’s why I’m sharing this journey with you. I don’t want to take these secrets to my grave—where’s the fun in that? Instead, I want to take you along on this rollercoaster of a life, with all its ups and downs. This is the story of an inner child’s longings and an adult’s quest to fulfill them. This is the story of a solo traveler who once went missing—but found her way back.

— Subscribe to our emails to get updates on Part 2