Choosing A Child-Free Life

I found this conversation eye-opening, as having children never seemed like a choice for me; it was expected, and I, too, expected and wanted it. In my 20s, I don’t think I was self-aware enough to realise what being a parent really meant, but my guest, Urmila, was. In this episode, Urmila shares her conscious decision to remain child-free, a choice influenced by her upbringing and personal reflections on marriage and parenthood. "I think anyone can be a parent, but you have to really reflect whether you're eligible to be one," she asserts, emphasising the importance of emotional readiness and self-awareness.We also hear about how her lifestyle is structured to enable her to pursue her passions and pivot to where she feels most fulfilled, and she gives her tips on how other women can find this. It’s great to hear from women who follow untraditional paths, seeing that there are multiple avenues women can take. Perhaps this conversation shows that before making any life decisions, one needs to be familiar with their values, what brings them joy and security. Alternatively, perhaps you need to have experience to work this out, have a listen and let me know your views. About Urmila MenonUrmila is a creative educator, writer, and speaker dedicated to helping high-achieving women and professionals, especially those shaped by cultural expectations, reclaim their voice through creative play and storytelling, not to make art, but to break free from perfectionism, process life deeply, and finally say what matters.Her upcoming creative non-fiction memoir, *COLOR CODED: Finding Ourselves and Our Stories* (out December 2025), is built on three foundational pillars: Identity, Creativity, and Representation. It’s a journey of unlearning, healing, and remembering who we were before the world told us to conform. This book is for anyone who’s ever felt like a misfit, been asked to dim their light, or struggled to speak up in a culture that values compliance over truth. For anyone who was told to shrink but chose to begin anyway.Follow Urmila here: LinkedInYoutubeSubstack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit priyamohalcoaching.substack.com