🧠 Mental Health & Inner Validation

@zara_delhicious

It’s been a weird week in the world of female founders. Self preservation and protecting your mental health comes before your business- building faceless brands means you can’t become a personal target but also your business can build and grow outside of you and still be successful should you wish to exit. #entrepreneur #femalefounder #womeninbusiness #controversy #founder #buildingabusiness

♬ growth – Gede Yudis

Building Confidence From the Inside—Even When You’re Still Healing

Confidence isn’t just a vibe—it’s a process. And sometimes, it’s a quiet, complicated one, especially for South Asian girls raised on “log kya kahenge?” and internalized “sharam.” When healing from burnout, trauma, people-pleasing, or the heavy expectations of family, self-promotion can feel uncomfortable—even fake.

But here’s the truth: You don’t need to be fully “healed” to take up space. You can be a work in progress and still be powerful.

This post is for the soft-spoken girls, the anxious overachievers, the ones who feel like they’re still “not enough.” Let’s talk about what real confidence looks like when it comes from within.

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How to Market Yourself When You’re Still Healing

@aniishaakhtar

Lash lift by @cosmeticbarsyd 😍 – Growing up, I never felt beautiful in my own skin. My dark South Indian features were something I was taught to hide, not celebrate. I was constantly surrounded by a standard of beauty that glorified lighter skin and Western features, and even behind closed doors. The shame wasn’t always loud, but it was there — in the aunties’ comments, the fairness cream ads, and the unspoken comparisons. But as I grew older, I started to see the strength, richness, and history in my features. I saw beauty in my skin tone, pride in my roots, and elegance in everything I once tried to change. Now, I don’t just accept my South Asian features — I love them, EMBODY them, and nourish them. #fyp #browngirls #southasian #browngirlmakeup #lashlift #fr

♬ Mere Naseeb Mein FarooqGotAudio Remix – Farooq Got Audio

Self-promotion doesn’t have to mean pretending everything’s perfect. In fact, your vulnerability can be part of your story.

💬 “I’m learning to speak up more and share my work, even when it’s scary.”

This isn’t weakness—it’s bravery in motion. If you’re building something meaningful while navigating pain, anxiety, or self-doubt, that’s strength. You’re allowed to celebrate progress, not just perfection.

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Confidence for the Soft-Spoken: You Don’t Need to Be Loud to Be Seen

In a world that rewards loud voices and flashy energy, soft-spoken girls often feel invisible. But quiet confidence? It’s magnetic.

Your presence can be subtle and still powerful. You don’t have to shout to be heard. Sometimes it’s your clarity, your consistency, your calmness that stands out. Let people lean in to listen. Let your work speak for you, with quiet pride.

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Unlearning “Sharam” as a Personality Trait

@dee_gautham

We created The Fit Woman Collective for women who are committed to a healthier lifestyle and confident in their ability to stick to the RIGHT plan without the extensive support our original 1:1 coaching provides. Link in bio to apply! #deegautham #nutritioncoach #macros

♬ Wow. – Instrumental – Post Malone

Too many Desi girls are taught to treat “sharam” (shyness/modesty) as a virtue—something that defines you, limits you, protects you.

But here’s the thing: being respectful and being small are not the same. You’re allowed to take up space without guilt. You’re allowed to exist boldly, without waiting for someone to invite you.

“Sharam” doesn’t have to mean hiding your voice, your art, your ambition. You can be kind and visible.

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How to Feel Deserving of Success Without Seeking Validation from the Whole Khaandaan

You landed the job. Started the side hustle. Got into grad school. But the moment is followed by: “Should I tell people?” “Will they be happy?” “Will they think I’m showing off?”

This is the cycle of external validation—and it’s exhausting.

Instead, try asking: Do I feel proud? Did I do something meaningful?
Let your validation start from you, not your family WhatsApp group. You don’t need approval from the whole khandaan to know you’re doing great.

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Brown Girl Burnout: When Being ‘Strong’ Isn’t the Same as Being Confident

Desi girls are often praised for being “so strong”—the ones who never cry, never break, never rest. But strength without support becomes burnout.

True confidence isn’t about carrying everything alone. It’s about asking for help. Resting. Saying, “I’m not okay, and that’s okay.”

Let go of the pressure to be the strong one. Sometimes, confidence is in the softness—the pause—the “no.”

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Final Thoughts

@therealrahulrai

To the south Asian women influencers. Keep doing your thang #southasian #influencers #doyouboo

♬ original sound – The Real Rahul Rai

Confidence isn’t just what you show others—it’s how you hold space for yourself. It’s healing out loud, growing quietly, and showing up with heart, even when you’re still figuring things out.

You don’t have to be perfect to be powerful. You just have to start with you.

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