Hello Friend,

I turn 47 today.
And as I sit here with my morning chai—still in my pyjamas, no plans yet—I feel a strange mix of quiet and clarity.

Not because everything is perfect.
But because, for once, I’m not rushing to prove anything.

There’s a kind of peace that doesn’t come from applause or achievement.
It comes when you stop performing… and start being.

And if there’s one thing I could pass on today, it’s this:

Stop living someone else’s version of you.

I didn’t realise I was doing it for years.
Just being the “right” person.

The good daughter. The understanding partner. The capable professional.

Saying yes when I wanted to say no.
Nodding along when I wanted to pause.
Fitting into rooms I didn’t even enjoy… just to feel accepted.

Do you do that too?

Do you ever find yourself adjusting—not because you’re growing,
but because you’re afraid of being left behind?

We don’t always say it out loud,
but silently we carry these fears:

👉 What if I lose what I’ve built?
👉 What if I’m no longer needed?
👉 What if they stop seeing my worth?

You keep going… but somewhere inside, it feels fragile.

And here's what I’ve learned:

Success built on fear will always feel unstable.

But success built on self-awareness?

That’s the kind you never have to hustle to protect.

People sometimes think I became successful (on society's standards) because I had a strategy, a plan, a roadmap.

But that’s not true.

Everything shifted—not when I learned more,
but when I returned to who I really was.

When I stopped chasing what looked good…
and started choosing what felt aligned.

When I dropped the pressure to be impressive,
and asked instead—

Who am I when no one is watching?

And most importantly…

What does God expect of me?

Not to be perfect.
Not to collect titles or applause.
But to evolve.

To become softer, clearer, more honest with myself.
To grow beyond my guilt, jealousy, fear.

And even now—
I'm still facing those parts of me.
Still meeting my old patterns.
Still catching myself when I shrink, when I rush, when I forget.

But now, I pause.
Now, I listen.
Now, I choose.

That’s the shift.

And maybe that’s why this birthday feels different.

There’s no need to dress up for the camera.
No pressure to post the perfect moment.
Maybe I’ll watch a movie.
Maybe I’ll eat my mom’s dal dhokli.
Maybe I’ll do nothing.

But whatever I do, it will be my version.

And I want that for you too.

Not because you’re broken.
Not because something’s missing.

But because I know how powerful you are when you stop hiding and start expanding.

Not louder. Not faster. Not “better.”
Just truer.

The easiest and most powerful way to have what you truly want… is to be fully you on the inside.

If something in you stirred as you read this… pause for a moment.

And ask gently:

Whose version of life am I living right now?
And what would it feel like to return to mine?

Maybe today’s a good day to come home to yourself.

Took me 47 years.
Hope it takes you less. 🙂

With love,
Sakshi Chandraakar