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Introduction

In a world that often prioritizes tangible achievements and conventional success, the importance of nurturing one’s creative self-worth is frequently overlooked. Yet, it is this very aspect of our being that can lead us on a transformative journey towards profound personal growth and fulfillment.

The Essence of Creative Self-Worth

Creative self-worth is not just about artistic abilities; it encompasses the unique perspectives, innovative ideas, and original thoughts each individual brings to the table. It’s about valuing your inner creativity – the way you solve problems, how you envision possibilities, and the originality you bring to your daily life.

Why Creative Self-Worth Matters

Embracing our creative worth empowers us to break free from the constraints of conventional thinking. It opens up a world where we can redefine success on our terms and pursue paths that resonate with our deepest selves. In nurturing this aspect of ourselves, we find the courage to explore new ideas, take risks, and step outside our comfort zones – all essential components of personal growth.

Cultivating Creative Self-Worth

Self-Reflection: Begin by recognizing your own creative abilities. Reflect on moments when you solved a problem uniquely, developed an innovative idea, or approached a situation differently than others might have.

Overcoming Fear: Fear of judgment or failure often holds us back from expressing our creativity. Overcoming this fear is a crucial step towards embracing our creative selves.

Continuous Learning: Keep expanding your horizons. Engage in activities that challenge your thinking and expose you to new ideas and perspectives.

Creating Without Constraints: Allow yourself to create freely without worrying about the outcome. This could be writing, drawing, brainstorming, or any activity that lets your creativity flow without boundaries.

Embracing Imperfections: Understand that creativity is not about perfection. It’s about expression, exploration, and learning from the process.

Integrating Creative Self-Worth in Daily Life

Applying creative self-worth in daily life could mean approaching challenges at work with innovative solutions, infusing creativity into your relationships by trying new experiences together, or simply allowing yourself time each day to engage in a creative hobby.

Conclusion

In recognizing and nurturing our creative self-worth, we unlock a vital component of our identity. This not only enriches our personal lives but also enhances our contributions to the world around us. As we embark on this journey of self-discovery and personal growth, we realize that our creative worth is not just a part of who we are – it is the very essence that propels us towards a fulfilling and meaningful life.

Call to Action

Acknowledging and fostering one’s creative self-worth is a crucial step towards a richer, more fulfilling personal and professional life. Tarun Bulchandani and Sagarika Shah are here to assist in taking that significant step. Reaching out to them opens the door to a journey filled with growth, self-discovery, and empowerment. If you are based in London, Mumbai or Ahmedabad, you can even reach out for an in-person meeting. 

country of control freaks???

It was a college friend’s birthday. Called up to wish her. After the birthday greetings were conveyed, we got talking about the topic that has been monopolizing every conversation these days. According to her, the silver lining of Covid-19 was that she got to be at her parents’. While she was visiting them, the lockdown was announced and she couldn’t return to where her husband and in-laws live. She was at her parents’ for threemonths – first time in her almost thirteen years of marriage. Told her would be good to catch up, if she visited again. And her response is the reason behind this write-up. 

She told me she wasn’t “allowed” to visit her parents more than once a year and would be visiting them next year. I wasn’t appalled by the response, given the nature of my work. I come across many clients controlled by parents, siblings, bosses, spouses and in-laws. But it really made me think. Why are people controlled to such an extent that they don’t evenhave the liberty to take decisions like visiting their own parents?

I’ve had discussions with my friends and fellow work associates who feel one can be controlled only if one lets oneself to be controlled. It’s easier said than done especially for people who feel intrinsically controlled when controlled extrinsically. So, the word here should be ‘exploited’ rather than controlled. 

In my friend’s case, she belongs to a very conservative family. Before marriage she was controlled by her parents and two elder brothers. After marriage, by her husband and in-laws and if I see through a crystal ball, I can see her being controlled by her grown up child in the future. May be she can put up with the restrictions because she is used to all the restraints right from her childhood. She probably has never experienced zero ruling. Her conditioning probably helps her muddle through all the controls that come her way. Doesn’t mean she is happy. She reminisced the college days and said those were the best days of her life and wish she could turn back the clock to those days.

Why is personal freedom so expensive in our country, especially for women? Although there are men who are oppressed and controlled too. In the case of women, despite the education, they are “not allowed” to work. If they don’t work, where will the financial independence come from? Well, even financially independent women don’t always have a say in their marriage. I have clients who give away their salaries to their husbands. And have to ask for money for their expenses. I do find fault with such women who don’t stand up for themselves. But it’s also not always a cake walk for them. Would walking out of a controlling marriage give them their freedom? Not always. If they go back to their parents’, they would be controlled by them. And for women who are not financially independent, they don’t have too much choice. Ihave no words for such husbands and/or in-laws capitalizing on the financial dependence and exploiting their wife/daughter in law. I see so many young adults controlled by their parents. Even married sons in the family business have to ask permission to take their wives out or on holidays or buy them some gifts.  

The tendency to own and control another person comes from a very toxic mindset which needs help. Despite their controlling nature and having controlled other people, these are the same people who come to therapy the most – rather than the ones who are controlled. Ironic! The mentality to control – the overt and covert ways of control, spoil relationships. Let go of control to save your relationship from going out of control.

The other day I gave a ride to a lady and her mother in law who stay in the house across. Her mother in law very proudly shared that her daughter in law too could drive, but was “not allowed” to drive by the men in the family.

I wish EVERYONE is ALLOWED to spread their wings and soar beyond the stars…

What stops you from getting hitched? Are you a commitment phobic? Do you believe in intimate relationships without getting into the intricacies? If yes, please listen to the following podcast.
Sagarika Shah, Co-founder, Psychologist and Relationship Therapist, Thought Counsel is here to share her insights on mental wellness and relationships. sagarika@thoughtcounsel.com https://www.thoughtcounsel.com

Is money a bone of contention between you and your partner? Are your finances coming in the way of your marital bliss? Listen to the following podcast to find out more.

Sagarika Shah, Co-founder, Psychologist and Relationship Therapist, Thought Counsel is here to share her insights on mental wellness and relationships. sagarika@thoughtcounsel.com https://www.thoughtcounsel.com

If you struggling in your relationship, you could be the reason and not your partner. Please listen to this podcast to find out more.

Sagarika Shah, Co-founder, Psychologist and Relationship Therapist, Thought Counsel is here to share her insights on mental wellness and relationships. sagarika@thoughtcounsel.com https://www.thoughtcounsel.com

Emotions are a part of every human being. Not all emotions are healthy. For a relationship to succeed, it’s very important to create a healthy emotional environment. Listen to the podcast to understand the ways to create it.
Sagarika Shah, Co-founder, Psychologist and Relationship Therapist, Thought Counsel is here to share her insights on mental wellness and relationships. sagarika@thoughtcounsel.com https://www.thoughtcounsel.com

Do you react or respond? What ticks u up? Are your reactions impulsive and responses negative? Well, you always have a choice. Sagarika Shah, Co-founder, Psychologist and Relationship Therapist, Thought Counsel is here to share her insights on mental wellness and relationships. sagarika@thoughtcounsel.com https://www.thoughtcounsel.com

I know it can be very painful to see a relationship that started off so well, go down the tubes. One of my recent clients told me that his girlfriend had stopped being her old loving self and he was feeling miserable about it. He was neither able to sleep nor eat. He had been crying all day and wanted to get out of this phase of suffering which his girlfriend had subjected him to. I didn’t agree there. In fact, he was the one who’s inflicting so much pain on himself.

All human beings are like rubber bands. They tend to run hot and cold in different degrees, depending on their genetic and environmental constitution. And this tendency which is seen more in intimate relationships, can keep you off balance. So, my client’s girlfriend may have her reasons to pull away. May be her personal reasons kept her from sharing them with him. Some people are not wired to share their problems with others. May be, she was feeling too suffocated in her relationship and needed some time on her own. Everyone does. The reasons can be many. Instead of taking things personally and giving time, people start presuming it’s over and that can cause more damage to the relationship.

The biggest mistake that most people make when their partners withdraw, is they start feeling insecure and start scouting for more attention from them. Why did he/she pull away? How can someone pull away in the most loving relationships? If pulling away happens often in your relationship, you need to understand, it’s a disposition of that person. As long as they return to you, you should feel secure and confident. But instead of doing that, most partners start thinking and working in an overdrive, as if the pulling away triggers some insecurity. This very insecurity makes them push more towards their withdrawn partners, which puts them off further, which in turn makes them pull away more. It becomes a vicious cycle.

Your love and warm presence is enough to keep the relationship going when your partner withdraws. Give him or her sometime to get over it. Do not presume that you are the reason for their withdrawal. Even if you are, just give it time. if you don’t, you will spoil the chances of it getting back to normal. After all no one likes a parasite. Do not get stifled in your relationship. Breathe and let breathe. Give and take space for your relationship to blossom.