Woman
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स्त्री
Are all different names for phoenixes. How, you ask? Because being a woman is not easy. To be pushed down to the lowest of low, and even then, rising above to achieve new heights, is that not what a phoenix does? Burn and then rise, again from its own ashes.
Every woman in today’s world, is a phoenix, fighting her own battle, with the world, the society, with misogyny, and with herself.
We had the chance to speak with 11 empowering women, whose story speaks for every woman in the world.
Here’s how they do it all – be a caregiver, manage their homes, manage their work, and keep their calm amidst all this madness!
Payal Kothari, Integrative Nutritionist and Gut Health Coach
If I were ever given a gender preference by God, I would hand down say a woman. From birthing my children to being a mommy to my golden retriever to running my own businesses and supporting so many other women in my team I feel I have been given a role as an Integrative Nutritionist and a Gut Health Coach to support, empower and evolve individuals through food, exercise and mental wellness.
I won’t deny the role is demanding and everyone looks at you for answers from what to cook to pay the milkman to the clients’ concerns and paying salary end of each month, it gets really tough on a few days especially those ‘pmsing’ days.
But I got it all covered by getting in a run in the park, lifting weights to feel powerful and kicking the punching bag in the gym to release anger and irritation. Post all of this on a regular basis, I get in meditation and pranayama as a practice and simply allow my chakras, hormones to balance releasing cortisol through my sweat and breathe embracing joy, gratitude and acceptance from the universe which we are all a part of. I always try to walk the talk by staying positive, keep toxic energies away from me and my family and believe giving is the new living in an ecological, holistic and systemic approach.
Vidhya Iyer, A Hollywood Screenwriter
Being an Indian woman is wrapped in an aura of grace and stoicism that really puts all of us on a pedestal while also expecting us to do everything and be everything for everyone. I don’t stay calm in all kinds of situations – I have a bad temper and I have a lot of anxiety. I always feel like I am not doing enough and feel the need to please everyone, however, being a Hollywood screenwriter has taught me one thing – there is so much that is not in our control and that patience is necessary. When I am not calm I talk to myself the way I would talk to a friend and give myself a pep talk to get through the situation.
Radhika Iyer Talati, Entrepreneur & Founder of Anahata, Yogini, Mountaineer & Philanthropist
I have somehow always believed that it’s important to live in the present moment. While I do have a long term goal about basic issues like most people, I am not fussy about immediate accomplishments. Things take time, people can turn out to be absolutely different than what we expected, businesses can go downhill and friends may turn foes. But what determines your future path is either the reaction or response to these situations. I choose to calm down, take a few deep breaths and focus within. Most of the times I find my answer there. But many a time, when the answers evade me, I simply remain silent, because somewhere down the line the answers stare right back at me assuring me that all is well!
Dr Vanshika Gupta Adukia, Pregnancy/Childbirth & Lactation Specialist, a Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist and the Founder of Therhappy
I truly believe that working women must always look at striking a balance between their professional lives & family.
While managing work and home can be exhausting, the key for me lies in ensuring that I have my “me time” at-least thrice a week, where I spend about an hour doing anyone leisure activity of my choice, even if that’s simply sitting with a cup of green tea while enjoying some music!
Recently I also discovered that occasionally cutting off from social media for a couple of days also works wonders to just help increase productivity & positivity.
Ramya Ramachandran, CEO & Founder, Whoppl
Being a Founder & CEO of a company means the hustle is constant. Especially because we are in the business of people facing, be it brands or influencers.
Work is always on my mind.
But what keeps me sane is maintaining job lists, connecting with the team on Slack, listening to some soothing music and maintaining a daily workout routine to get the endorphins kicking.
In the end, everything is completely worth it.
Akshita Gandhi, International Artist & Philanthropist
Women are made to believe in stereotypical gender roles and conformity, which is detrimental to the growth of any individual.
Therefore my secret tip is to surround yourself with the right people and the right partner who will nurture your talent and help you in every step of the way. Because from managing a house to a business is a big part of building a life together is teamwork. Be it your friends or family.
Tammana C, Psychic & A New Age Spiritual Therapist and author of the book The Vertical Path
Being a woman is a superpower because we have the ability to micro-manage and multi-task. It’s an innate difference between the feminine template from the male template. I have grown up in a household watching the women being all rounder’s especially being great homemakers. I’ve learnt the art of balancing and distributing an equal amount of time and energy between my personal relationships, my career and my own well being and alone time. I make time for my prayers, music, journaling no matter how swamped I’m with external responsibilities. I understand the importance of building my own personal energy because only then I’ll be able to invest those energies in other areas of my life.
The key to staying calm is understanding that not everything can be controlled. I only focus on areas that are under my control and allow the universe to take care of everything else.
Shimona Bhansali, Founder of Design Hex, Interior Designer & Space Stylist
I am a daughter, a sister, a wife, a daughter-in-law and a mother of two almost teenage girls. I am an interior designer and the boss of my home at the same time. Modern-day women are constantly juggling between the role of a working woman and part homemaker. It’s commendable to see how we manage both these roles seamlessly despite facing umpteen challenges.
As a woman, I am expected to play multiple roles simultaneously which have different sets of responsibilities. I strongly believe in the power of meticulous planning to be able to execute all my tasks carefully and deal with what is expected from me.
Often my very best was not always best enough but I felt satisfied each night that I was doing all that I could. I would sleep well each night knowing I’m being honest to me and my loved ones!
Today I have planned and I’m ready for anything that jumps my way even in the most unplanned manner because I know I can manage it all. It is because I am a woman and I am trained by the expectations of life from me to keep going on by taking each day and each task at a time. I will keep going and nothing will stop me. My being a woman makes me multifaceted, makes me multi-talented and a multi-tasker (with lots of help here and there from my loving family of course.) My being a woman is my biggest strength in the school of life. As a result of all this, today I am standing exactly where I wanted to be!
Natasha Celmi, Chef, Food Stylist & the author of Fast, Fresh, Flavourful
I believe you can do it all if you really want to. There is no place for excuses. I want to look back at my life and feel I lived it well giving attention to all aspects.
Yes, it is tough and there are days when I literally feel like I’m a “superwoman.” I stay calm by being organised – I am a very organised person and that helps me think calmly and multitask.
I also take out time for myself in the afternoon with a short power nap or just lying down in a quiet room to pause and reset my batteries. I’m on my toes from 7 am with the kids plus work and home matters.
I eat well and work out well to keep myself physically fit and mentally alert and happy – I need all the energy to run around with my boys, stay on my feet in the kitchen, cook dinner myself and smile and enjoy my husband’s company in the evening, so ladies, do ditch those diets and look after your overall nourishment.
Aspire to climb as high as you can dream and dream a lot!
Anita Golani, Founder, iORA, a DIY Salon Kit Series
As a woman who has been juggling family, work and home for many years, I personally understand the importance of a self-care routine that helps me in realigning myself.
As an aromatherapist, I have always relied on essential oils to overcome stress and rejuvenate myself. Just dabble a blend of lavender & argon oil on the pulse points for a calming effect. Add a bit of neroli oil to the diffuser for days when I feel I am fighting a war. Basil oil helps me get clarity and organize my thoughts, while a couple of drops of chamomile on the pillow act like a soothing lullaby at night. Whatever be the problem, Aromatherapy helps me deal with it and be back on my feet to fight another day.
Protima Tiwary, A New Age creative entrepreneur and Founder of The Mill.
Being a woman is a superpower! We are used to so much multitasking in our lives that we don’t realize that we are constantly under so much stress. The mind is constantly buzzing, consuming information, coming up with new ideas, wanting to make things happen…this sounds great, but you know how much of a good thing is bad for you, right? Over the years, after a severe case of burnout, I realised why it was important to stay calm.
Establishing strict boundaries around a work day proved to be transformational. My free time was not an indication of my availability and communicating this to the clients helped me develop more fulfilling, wholesome relationships with them. I realised that I could do a better job of being productive if I gave myself strict working hours and enough time to start my day slowly and unwind at the end of the day.
Taking breaks is one of the most productive things, my biggest learning from the last three years. So my secret here would be to take as many breaks as you can!
We wish all the women out there, a very happy Women’s Day!
Today and every day, celebrate yourself, and the impact you create in the world.
Read more: Did You Know Why Women’s Day Is Celebrated On 8th March?
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