Q.1 What inspired you to explore the theme of choosing what brings out the best in us over what seems best for us?
I am exploring a realistic version of myself, and that’s why I’m choosing to think about what brings out the best in us. Being the best in everything we do is often expected of us. I was hoping to gain a deeper understanding of what I enjoy doing that would bring out the best in me. I strongly believe that everything and everyone cannot bring us happiness. However, something and anyone that makes us happy is meant to bring out the best in ourselves. I have begun living in moments that turn out to be the best because I have faith in the greatest gift of all, which is life.
Q.2 How do you define the balance between physical and mental well-being in today’s fast-paced world?
The answer is quite simple. The quality of time we give ourselves and our loved ones in the midst of a hectic life is what matters. At the end of the day, we hustle and bustle to keep ourselves physically and mentally fit. We work hard to keep our family and loved ones happy. We all have lives to live, but we shouldn’t neglect taking care of ourselves and the people in our lives for whom we exist. We should not forget to spend our precious time with ourselves and the ones for whom all these efforts are made.
Q.3 What advice would you give to readers struggling to overcome the challenges of seeking external validation?
If your idea is to understand why you need to improve what you are doing right now, that is called being open to guidance. If you start doubting yourself whether you are good enough compared to what others are doing, that is called seeking validation. Stop putting too much pressure on yourself to rely on external validation. Your worth shouldn’t be validated, but instead, you should embrace it and strive to become the best version of yourself every day. Validation is not helpful for growth; it only leads to insecurities. Rather, invest in yourself by accepting every challenge and guidance that will make you a better learner.
Q.4 Can you share a personal experience that influenced your perspective on resilience and positivity?
I give up when I feel heavy. When I try to bounce back in time, not only am I positive, but I also get inspired by people who are positive around me. My family is the source of my inspiration and confidence. Despite the difficulties they have faced, they remain confident that we will overcome any obstacle in life as we are together to face it. The key to being resilient is to believe that positivity can come from within. Trusting to face the challenges thrown at us is when we receive support and motivation from both within and those around us.
Q.5 What was the most challenging part of writing about such personal and universal emotions?
Each of us has our own unique way of expressing ourselves. The emotions cannot be fully understood by reading expressions. Yet, when you put effort into understanding emotions, that is when you can truly understand who people are. Emotions influence the character. Knowing ourselves when we are at our lowest and supporting people when they are at their lowest involves understanding and love. Handling every kind of emotion has been the most challenging part of understanding that we keep learning while we live for ourselves and while we become a part of others’ lives.
Q.6 What impact do you want this book to have on someone at the beginning of their journey toward self-fulfilment?
When you read this book, just remember that you are going to read all the thoughts that are running through your head. Your own voice speaks to you that you are destined to live, love, laugh, and overcome any challenge that is meant to bring out the best in you. Life’s beautiful present is your character, which makes every moment you live a gift. At the end of this book, you will understand that you are not alone in trying to figure out that self-fulfilment lies in spending the best time of our life like a journey with ups and downs, which is limitless and not a race with a finish line.
Q.7 How does this book guide readers in creating a life defined by their values rather than societal validation?
This book is meant to reach you through its words. Begin by loving yourself and living for yourself. When you can live better for yourself, you can be a better human being for others around you as well. When you have faith in yourself and are already doing better, there’s no need to seek validation. You can stop feeling the need to receive validation by mastering your thoughts and actions to become a better human in your own eyes.
Q 8 Describe a lesser-known aspect of Gayathri.
She loves food as much as she loves writing. She enjoys a delicious meal by frying potatoes and eating rice with rasam rice after facing challenges that have fried her emotions. She is a simple girl who believes that overthinking can be overcome by taking a break from worrying and instead having a coffee to relax.
Her world is filled with happiness due to the love she has for herself and those she loves in life.
