Identifying by my work

Unlike many parents in India, mine did not push me to be solely academic oriented. Academics were a necessary evil in my life that I needed to get through to survive in the system. I was much better and more oriented to extra-curriculars (sport, music etc).

While this helped me choose a relatively off-beat career like Design (when most peers were studying medicine, engineering, law etc), the system eventually caught up on me in one way - my work became part of my identity. This is further accentuated by the fact that Design also happens to be a an area that I am passionate about - very invested in.

I never noticed how much my work was my identity until now.

In Germany, work and private life has a very clear distinction - one of those cultural differences I found hard to deal with and understand initially but later began to respect.
I observed many friends and colleagues being very dedicated to their job during the hours they spent at work, yet would totally switch off the moment they stepped out and would be ready to wear a totally different hat - that of their hobby/ other interests.

With situations that are now more important to my life, I am beginning to wonder how I could move more in this direction. 

Being an outlier

When I lived in India, I constantly stood out amongst fellow urban, educated, upwardly mobile middle class Indians who always thought everything about the NEW, 'developing' India was great - India is the next super power, Indians are the most intelligent people, the world economy is alive due to India...the world is coming to India...
Not acknowledging the things that work well in the 'developed' world

Now, living as an expat in a 'developed' economy, I still stand out because the locals have the 'developed' world mindset - we invented this in the past, we are leaders in that...
Not acknowledging the growing role emerging economies are playing in the world.

*Sigh* its a hard life being someone with a broader perspective. While at my core I believe this is a good thing to be able to have a balanced view, there are definitely times when I wonder, if it is more peaceful to take a black and white approach to life and be on one side of the journey.