#72 Full & Authentic Expression

Today, I interview Vasavi Kumar who grew up in a first generation Indian immigrant family. At home, she says she felt too Americanized. But at school, she felt too Indian, because she attended a predominantly white school. She never felt like she fit in anywhere, so she just learned to do and say all the right things to keep the peace. Her home was a safe place, and her needs were met. Her parents were successful business professionals. However, Vasavi didn't feel emotionally safe; she never felt safe in expressing her emotions as a child because her parents didn't encourage that kind of expression and didn't know how to react or help her to understand and regulate her emotions. She never let people get to know her intimately enough to hurt her. At 12 she started therapy and almost instantly felt tremendous relief, because for the first time someone was fully present, listening to her, and validating her emotions. She no longer had to feel like a misunderstood, irrational, overemotional outcast. She finally started to understand her emotions and became more confident in her own identity. And she finally got to mourn the loss of the way she wished her childhood had been. She still experiences frustration in life, but she knows how to approach it. She takes a look at her own expectations, pays close attention to where she is putting her energy, and takes the time to redirect herself and be honest about what to release and what to hold as priority. Today, she is committed to living authentically. Part of that journey was learning to be honest and intimate with herself. She had to ask herself why she wasn't being honest with herself. She dug through her business and all of her relationships, assessing areas where she realized she wasn't being her genuine, fully-expressed self. She walks with pride, knowing that she says what she means and means what she says. ____________ Vasavi is the outspoken host of the Say It Out Loud Podcast, upcoming author of the Say It Out Loud book (Spring 2023), Self-Expression Coach, and Actor. As a First-Generation Indian Immigrant, Vasavi made her parents proud by going to Columbia University to receive her (second) Masters in Social Work. Through her Say It Out Loud group experience, 1:1 mentorship, and communication training, Vasavi helps her clients be more comfortable, confident, and in control during media interviews, telepresentations, and interpersonal communication so they can show up confidently. Find Vasavi here: https://www.vasavikumar.com/ (where you can get her FREE mini-course: 11 Concepts to Take You From Self-Conscious to Self-Expressed) https://www.instagram.com/mynameisvasavi/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/vasavikumar1/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC59H9ub5Q0rZLF6ASqsmc7w____________I'm your podcast host, Dr. Doreen Downing, and I help people find their voice so they can overcome anxiety, be confident, and speak without fear. Get started now on your journey to your authentic voice by downloading my Free 7 Step Guide to Fearless Speaking: https://www.doreen7steps.com.    Support the showI’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com​.