A few days ago, I wrote a blog titled “Gambling Since Age 9.”
It was raw.
It was personal.
And it wasn’t what most people expect from the founder of a wellness retreat.
I knew that when I hit publish.
And yet, I wasn’t prepared for how much it would stir — in others, and in me.
People messaged.
Some cried. Some connected deeply. Some shared their own stories of starting over.
But a few responses made me pause.
“Why would you write about gambling?”
Some people were offended.
Some called it stupid.
One person asked, “Why talk about gambling when you run a wellness retreat?”
Another asked , almost scolded, “Why would you admit to being in debt?”
I get it. Truly, I do.
The word “gambling” carries weight.
It brings to mind addiction, recklessness, broken families.
And in a world where wellness is expected to look clean, calm, and curated —
talking about cards, losses, and delayed payments feels… out of place.
But maybe that’s exactly the point.
This is me trying to live free.
I’m not trying to romanticize gambling.
I’m trying to understand myself.
I’m trying to tell the truth.
Because if I’m building a space for healing —
shouldn’t that begin with my own honesty?
Yes, I’ve been in debt.
Yes, I’ve borrowed from family and friends.
Yes, some months have been tight.
Yes, I’ve cried alone at night wondering how I’ll keep it all going.
But I’m not ashamed of it
I’ve lived too long trying to appear sorted.
Trying to play the “successful” role while quietly unraveling inside.
Now I want to live in a way that feels lighter.
More transparent.
More true.
And if that makes people uncomfortable — I understand.
But I’m not here to present a flawless spiritual brand.
I’m here to build something real.
And sometimes, real is messy.
So… what is the opposite of gambling?
That question has stayed with me.
Is it safety?
Is it certainty?
Is it never taking a risk?
Because when I look around —
everything meaningful involves risk.
Falling in love.
Quitting your job.
Starting a new life in the mountains.
Building a healing space with no formal experience.
All of it — at some level — is a gamble.
We just give some risks nicer names:
“faith,” “vision,” “spiritual calling,” “calculated bet.”
And others we bury under judgment.
But the truth is — honesty can be brutal,
and there’s no change without chance.
Building Aavya: A Different Kind of Gamble
When I started Aavya, I wasn’t seeking returns.
I wasn’t optimizing for scale.
I just wanted to build something that felt right.
Three rooms.
A yoga shala.
A small corner to breathe, to reflect, to begin again.
And yes — it was still a risk.
I had no hospitality background.
No blueprint.
Just instinct, longing, and a heart that refused to shut down — even after losing so much.
So if that’s gambling, then yes…
I’m still gambling.
But this time — on beauty, on people, on meaning.
If You’ve Ever Felt Like You’re Starting Over…
This blog isn’t just about me.
It’s about the invisible struggles so many carry quietly, living for ages, without the courage to move out of their comfort zone
If you’ve ever started again — or wish to
after loss, burnout, heartbreak, or uncertainty —or plain simple boredom
and wondered if you were being brave or just reckless…
Then I see you.
And maybe you’d feel at home here.
Aavya is a small wellness retreat in Rishikesh, but it’s more than that.
It’s a place where stories are welcome.
Where we promise we won’t judge
Come for a few days
Or longer.
Or just for a cup of coffee.
However you arrive — you’re welcome.
In the End
I don’t know if I’ll ever stop taking chances.
But I’ve stopped pretending that safety is always the wiser path.
The opposite of gambling isn’t necessarily wisdom.
It may be hesitation.
It may be fear, dressed up as practicality.
So yes, I’m still taking risks —
But now they are not financial gambles
More rooted.
Built from love, for love
I’m gambling on beauty.
On connection.
On soul.
And if that resonates —
you know where to find me.
📖 Read the original story: Gambling Since Age 9
🌿 Visit Aavya Wellness Retreat
With love,
Ashish