Writing became an act of recovery – not defensive, but healing. I wanted to bridge that polka-dotted image that people recognize with something more profound. The streams that flow in my life. Personal anecdotes are not sensationally confidential; They are connective tissue. When I share my struggles or my journey toward integration, I am creating space for identity to help readers understand that awesomeness is not perfection. This is presence. It looks authentic.
Vulnerability got me as much as I got. This is where the real power lies – in the courage to look fully, beyond carefully crafted surfaces. I want people to understand that the energy they consider “fabulous” is not something I wear like a dress. This is something I have developed through inner work and learning to trust my frequency.
When considering the ‘legacy’ aspect of being fabulous, you note that the “little things” matter to you. however, The examples you shared are cosmetic big boss And in Cannes. How do everyday events inspire you to consider heritage differently?
I understand the seeming contradiction, but let me be clear – those platforms are important because of what happens in the invisible spaces around them, the moments that no camera captures.
My legacy lies in the genuine warmth I give to everyone who works in my home, no matter their position. This is in teaching my son that material success means nothing without compassion. It’s in spending time with a young artist who is nervous to exhibit their work, or sitting with a woman at the local market that she respects her art and her story. These seemingly small interactions[are]where legacy really comes alive.
Every morning, when I choose gratitude instead of complaining, when I respond to negativity with grace. These are consistent choices that build character. Platforms like Cannes give me visibility, but legacy is not a monument. This is echo. It is the permission you give others to live more freely, the values you embrace when there is no applause. That’s what lasts.
There was a time when you divided your life into different groups – spiritual, artistic and public. Many people believe in using different parts of their personality for different endeavors, but later you thought that a united self is better. Why did you take such a decision?
The change happened slowly, like watching a sunrise. For years, I worked in different compartments because I thought that was what was expected. This was the case whether one belonged to a sophisticated art patron, a dedicated spiritual seeker or a glamorous public figure. It was tiring, like constantly changing costumes for different performances.
The transformation began during a meditation retreat. What emerged was not a dramatic revelation but a simple truth: fragmentation creates friction. When you’re constantly switching between versions of yourself, you’re never fully present anywhere. Spiritual Shalini felt guilty about luxury. The art collector wondered whether his activities were frivolous. Janta Shalini was carefully arranged. None felt completely authentic.
Integration came when I realized that my love for art is spiritual – it’s about connecting with divine expression. My public presence can extend my values. My spirituality does not require sacrificing beauty; This deepens my appreciation. Now, when I walk through my collection, I feel a sense of sacredness. When I appear in public, I bring out my entire personality. There is deep freedom in being true rather than performing.
Randomness is an aspect that people are highly attracted to in order to understand their lives. However, you find a “message” or reason behind everything, which I suggest you process the events, learning the “why” and “how” behind them. But this may also attract tax. What strategies do you use to do this without dimming your light, your aura?
You touched on something I think about often. Yes, I am looking for meaning – it is reflexive now, shaped by my spiritual practice and belief in karma. But you are right that it can be tiring if it is not balanced properly.
My primary strategy is discretion. Not everything requires in-depth analysis. Sometimes a challenging day is just a challenging day. I’ve learned to distinguish between real learning opportunities and overthinking. Meditation creates space between experience and interpretation. I can observe without needing to draw immediate conclusions.
I also practice “lightness to the meanness.” I hold on to insights loosely rather than hold them down like butterflies. This keeps the process from becoming overwhelming. And importantly, I balance introspection with joy. If I’m spiraling into analysis, I deliberately engage in something pleasurable – dancing, painting, spending time with loved ones. The inner work matters, but the inner game matters too.
Finally, I remind myself that not everything needs to be a lesson. Sometimes experiences are simply meant to be lived, felt and released. That acceptance itself has been liberating. It’s about trusting that understanding will come when it’s meant to, not imposing meaning everywhere.
You’re absolutely okay with being misunderstood, and you note that perhaps this is a price everyone has to pay. I was wondering in that transaction how you deal with this imbalance between who you are and what people believe about you, because often a false perception can mean a lost opportunity or impact on one’s career, etc.
I won’t pretend it’s always easy. There are moments when I read some fabricated things about my intentions, and it stings. I am human. But here’s what I’ve learned: Trying to control perception is a losing battle. If I spend my energy constantly improving and defending, I will have nothing left to truly live and create.
I have made peace with a fundamental truth – people will form opinions based on limited information, their own guesses, sometimes complete imagination. The world often wants to encapsulate complex people into digestible narratives. I refuse to flatten myself to fit into those narratives.
Regarding lost opportunities – yes, it is real. But I’ve found that the right opportunities, ones that match who I really am, find their way to me regardless. If an opportunity is lost because someone believed a misconception without directly connecting with me, it probably wasn’t aligned with my path anyway. I trust in God’s timing.
I work on this by sticking to my truth. I know who I am. My family knows. Someone close to me knows. For everyone else, I let my work speak – my art initiatives, my philanthropy, my continued work. Being okay with being misunderstood is a practice of detachment. It’s about the belief that authenticity attracts aligned energies, and that my peace of mind is more valuable than universal acceptance.
In addition to the principles you share in the book, please share some things people can do easily to get started on their journey to becoming awesome.
Absolutely! Awesomeness isn’t about grand gestures — it starts with small, accessible changes. You can start your morning with gratitude. Before checking your phone, take 60 seconds to acknowledge three things you’re grateful for. This redirects your brain toward abundance.
Or create a small space that brings you joy – your bedside table, work desk, or a corner. Place something beautiful there: flowers, a meaningful photo, art you like. The beauty of your immediate surroundings elevates your daily experience. You can also develop a distinctive element – a particular scent, a style of accessories, your unique laugh, or the way you greet people. Something intentional that makes people think, “that’s just the way they are”. (I think anyone should) practice deep listening. Pay full attention to people. It creates a magnetic presence.
Do one thing every day just for fun – dance, read poetry, try a new recipe. Happiness is inexhaustible only when you fulfill it. (And you should learn this) Say no without guilt. Protect your energy fiercely. And finally, find a practice that connects you to something bigger – meditation, prayer, nature, creative expression.
This spiritual foundation provides depth to your outer glow. These practices are accessible to everyone, but their impact is immeasurable. Greatness is about intention and presence, an energy you cultivate from within, not a state you acquire from outside.
Saurabh Sharma is a Delhi-based writer and freelance journalist. She can be found on Instagram/X: @writerly_life.
