The Freedom Series: Smita Bhattacharya on Living Now, Not Later
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Words by Smita | Edited by Tania from Slower Travels
“Choosing differently wasn’t about rejecting tradition. It was about saying: I want to live now, not later.””
Smita Bhattacharya didn’t have one lightning-bolt moment that changed her life. What she had was a quiet, persistent flutter—a slow realisation that she wasn’t living authentically. And that waiting until retirement, until the mortgage was paid, or until the script was complete might mean missing the life she truly wanted.
For Smita, that meant stepping off the conventional path to explore one that honoured travel, writing, independence, and lightness, not as rebellion—but as a return to herself.
A Life With Space to Breathe
Smita still works a traditional job. Living in India means navigating a competitive, fast-moving environment where financial independence is hard-won and deeply necessary. She works hard four to five days a week—but she’s chosen work that offers her balance and the freedom to log in from anywhere.
“As long as there’s Wi-Fi, I’m fine.”
She takes at least one trip a month, within India or abroad. And though she’s turned down promotions that might have paid more, she’s gained something far more valuable: autonomy over how she spends her days.
What she loves most about her current lifestyle is the spaciousness it creates. A few hours of meaningful work, followed by the freedom to read, exercise, write, wander, or connect.
“I’m not a hustler. I prefer slow, steady work, and then the freedom to do what I want.”
She lives simply and intentionally. Her mantra? “I must be able to pack all my things in a few bags and move at a day’s notice.” That kind of lightness—emotional and material—is what she guards most.
The Hardest Part: The Constant Second-Guessing
Living differently doesn’t mean living without doubt. For Smita, the hardest part is comparing herself to her peers who are hitting conventional milestones: a new car, a flat, a wedding, a baby.
“Their path isn’t simpler, but happiness feels more defined and achievable—because the yardsticks are clearly laid out.”
In a culture with deeply rooted societal expectations, Smita’s choices often stand in stark contrast to those around her. For many women in India, deviating from the norm requires not only courage but also financial independence and relentless self-confidence.
Every day, Smita is reminded—through subtle comments, well-meaning questions, or cultural pressure—that she’s off-script. “There’s always a suggestion that ending up alone is a bad outcome,” she says. “That not doing what others do is unacceptable.”
The hardest part isn’t explaining herself to others—it’s convincing herself that she doesn’t need to. That her choices are valid. That it’s okay to live a life that looks nothing like the ones she grew up around.
Building Her Own Version of Normal
“Normal just means common. It’s not the only way to live.”
The pressure to live a “normal” life comes in waves. It used to make Smita defensive. Now, she has made peace with it and merely smiles when people question her. “I’ve realised people are uncomfortable with the choices I made,” she says. “Maybe they secretly want to make them too. But it is scary, no? To live the offbeat life.”
Her solution? Finding her tribe. For Smita, that’s women who travel—of all ages and backgrounds. She meets them online and on the road. They inspire her, encourage her, and remind her that there are many ways to be fulfilled.
“When the world feels full of one kind of people, it can be harder to find your own,” she says. “But they’re out there—the ones you feel at ease with, who embrace your story. Like Slower Travels has.”
What Freedom Means Right Now
Smita’s definition of freedom is simple: control over her time.
It’s the ability to design her day around what matters most. It’s saying yes—or no—without guilt. It’s waking up excited for something new, even if that something is small.
She’s also found deep joy in solitude. “When people ask, ‘How can you travel alone for days?’ I laugh,” she says. “I’m actually a great companion to myself.”
“Freedom also means forgiving myself for not being ‘normal’, for not wanting ‘normal’ things, and embracing myself for being different and a little weird.”
For Anyone Wanting to Make a Change
Smita’s advice is gentle but firm: start small. Don’t romanticise a big leap if it’s not accessible right now.
“The goal isn’t too big. The first step just wasn’t small enough.”
Try something. If it doesn’t work, you can change your mind. You can try again. There’s no shame in starting, stopping, shifting, and learning.
“For some, the normal path brings comfort and security. For others, something else does. The key is to live authentically.”
She encourages experimentation. Keep learning. Keep changing. And don’t get stuck chasing a checklist just because everyone else is doing it.
“At the end of the day, it’s not about the big checklist. It’s about waking up excited for something new.”
And yes, in Smita’s case, that “something” might be planning a solo trip to Antarctica. Whatever sets the heart and spirit racing.
Still Figuring It Out
Even now, Smita finds herself comparing. The conventional path has ready-made markers of success. Hers does not. And that can be unsettling.
“I’m still figuring out how to quiet that voice,” she says. “And I’m still learning what balance of structure and freedom works for me, because that keeps shifting.”
But she’s okay with not having all the answers. Because in this version of life, figuring it out is part of the freedom, too.
Follow Smita’s Story
📍 Instagram: @smitabe
📝 Website: smitabhattacharya.com
The Freedom Series: Life On The Other Side of Should is a storytelling project from Slower Travels, spotlighting people who’ve chosen their own path. Want to be part of it?
