16 November 2022
9 years today, since I first made this journey from home to my workplace. Home locations that have changed over these years, but the workplace that has not. The same black gate I drive through, the same brown door I push my way through and the same room where I settle down for the day.
I make the familiar journey today too, but something is playing on my mind. Through what already seems to be the beginning of a busy day, I steal a quick sentimental glance around this place – where I first landed up, in November 2013.
2013 :
An empty space with no furniture; a single plastic chair and a wall clock in sight.
Exactly like me. A blank slate with no previous experience; a single talent and a future bursting with possibilities in sight.
2014 :
The furniture is in place. Computer screens, keyboards and diaries strewn all over the place. People that bring energy to the once – empty workplace.
A certain discipline within me is in place. New skills, concepts and tasks wreak havoc in my mind. People and experiences that add colour to the once – “two friends only” me.
2015 :
We begin to lay the foundation for the first Walnut School campus at Shivane. Cabins are created to bring structure to the now chaotic workplace.
I begin to lay down the foundation for the me I hope to be. Walls that get constructed within me, as I begin to compartmentalize the personal and the professional, not letting one cause chaos in the other.
2016 :
The workplace now caters to more people. It is now a melting pot of various work ethics and styles, personalities and politics. The wooden walls are pulled down. Glass partitions come up. Transparency that is deliberately created to make sure the workplace never forgets to work as a single unit.
I learn to deal with more people. It is the perfect opportunity to differentiate between the friends and the colleagues, those that are in for the long haul and those who don’t spare you a second glance. The walls of shyness and insecurities are pulled down. Glass partitions, just like those at the workplace, within me that push me toward maintaining transparency in all that I do and feel.
2017 :
We begin preparations for the second Walnut School campus at Fursungi. The workplace that now learns to adapt as teams from remote locations begin to reach out for support.
I begin to teach myself to grow from a worker to a manager. An adaptability that I must bring within myself, as growing demands require me to take head-on the challenges that come my way.
2018 :
A workplace that is constantly abuzz with activity. Slowly but surely, it has given me a job profile, a strong support system and a space within it, that has now become my literal comfort zone.
A me that is constantly abuzz with solutions. Slowly but surely, I have figured out what I am capable of. A comfort zone within myself that I can disappear to, when the workplace madness might get a little too much to handle.
2019 :
A workplace that is sometimes, in a state of upheaval. Cabins that get torn down, teams that thus keep evolving. Room layouts that change due to the need of the hour and fresh coats of paint that keep the workplace looking as good as new. Chairs and curtains that change pattern, keeping up with the trends.
A me that is sometimes, in a state of upheaval. Thoughts of ‘Is it getting too much to handle?’ sometimes creeping into my mind. Thoughts that get torn down, as the feeling of being capable enough coat the insecurities. The learning never stops, and that keeps me feeling as good as new. Working styles that change pattern, keeping up with the new responsibilities that come my way.
2020 :
The pandemic makes the workplace a literal distant space. A locked reality, despite being just a few kilometres away. And yet, the workplace recreates itself through the screen of the laptop that takes no break through the long hours of the lockdown.
The pandemic shows me that a workplace is not just a built – up structure; it is something you can recreate and carry within you. A space that ensures your brain keeps ticking and your days are filled with productivity even while the world around goes on an indefinite break.
2021 :
The third Walnut School campus at Wakad is something that we now take in our stride. The workplace is now pretty well – defined too. Strong structures separate the various departments; common spaces ensure we remain one single team. Through all these years and the changes it has embraced, the workplace seems to have found its niche.
Taking on new tasks, team members or responsibilities now come easy to me. My routine is now pretty well – defined too. A planned approach separates my various tasks from each other; the love for what I do ensuring I never feel it isn’t worth it. Through all these years of achievements and failures, I seem to have now found my niche.
2022 :
The workplace and I are not strangers anymore. In fact as I look around, I realise we have walked many a mile together on this journey of evolution.
For while the workplace worked hard to find its structure, so did I.
While the workplace strove to establish stability within itself, so did I.
While the workplace learnt to deal with everything that was thrown its way, so did I.
While the workplace kept opening its doors to new people and newer experiences, so did I.
While the workplace grew in strength and capacity, so did I.
While the workplace has remained rooted to its foundations since day 1, so have I.
And while the workplace continues to evolve over the years, so will I…
❤️
So nice 👍👍