Revathi is a Psychologist & Corporate Trainer. She describes herself as someone who can’t sit in one place, gets bogged down by the mundane and the monotonous. She is an ardent lover of almost all forms of dance and music. Her sole purpose in life — To help people achieve their best.
Place: Mumbai
Occupation: Psychologist & Corporate Trainer
Q. Did you expect your life to look like at this age? Did you meet your expectations?
I am a spontaneous person and don’t believe in ‘expecting’ a lot of things.
I always knew one thing though; I’d always be the same chirpy, cheerful, bubbly person that I have been all these years. That’s exactly how I am at this age.
So yes, somewhere I did meet those expectations.
Q. What is one of the most important “lessons” you have learnt in your life so far?
The most important lesson life has taught me is to accept and love myself unapologetically & unconditionally. As narcissistic as it may sound, it’s quite a tough thing to do. It is impossible to do anything that will bring out the best in you without this realization.
Q. What has been your most difficult journey in these 29 years?
My toughest so far has been to witness most of my childish dreams fade away from reality and have the strength to rebuild it all over again.
Q. What dreams did you have as a child?
As a child, I’d always dream of a free world, with no judgments or limitations. I believed that good people outnumber the not so good ones. I believed women can do anything they wanted without having to justify themselves. I believed success only comes to those who are ethical and hardworking. I also believed there are some great men out there who really have that metal in them to love a strong woman unconditionally.
Q. What do you think women in your country need?
Unconditional acceptance from men. I also think women need that internal push to pursue their passion.
Q. Why? Where do we lack this?
Even though the world is evolving by the minute, I think there’s plenty to do. Utopia will only start taking form when every girl child is encouraged to chase her dreams.
Q. What is the expectation of a 29-year-old woman in your country?
Strive to live the perfect life, have a perfect husband and bear his perfect children.
And if none of these materializes then, take full accountability for the decisions you made.
I feel I come from another generation! The new generation has a totally different outlook.
Q. Do you think that you fulfil the expectations of the society of how you should be?
Honestly, my definition of society is — A bunch of people who love you, understand you, care about you and want to see you happy. So, yes I most certainly fulfil their expectations.
Q. If you could go back into the past and meet your 19-year-old self, what would you tell her?
You have been kind, genuine, strong, and beautiful; young lady!
Don’t stop believing in yourself.
Start investing time and energy into yourself. There’ll be many who’ll come and go; you go to keep smiling till the end!
Q. Where do you see yourself at 39?
I see myself chirpy and bubbly, creatively engaged, doing some meaningful work in a well-toned, sun-kissed body.
Q. Are you happy? If not, what will it take for you to be happy?
I have few ambitions and expectations out of life. So I have no reason to be unhappy.
Yes, I will need to gain more control and clarity on a few things but that’s a part of life.
Q. Who is your role model?
I don’t have a specific role model. But I draw inspiration from my mother on how to face challenges, Sushmita Sen on how to look sassy at 40!, and St Teresa on how to love unconditionally.
And lastly, if there is something that you would like to tell your audience, this is your space…
I don’t think I have lived enough to give advice. But one major lesson I have learned from the universe is to trust my struggle.
There are days I’m down and out but while I lay down just about to rest, I know deep in my heart that this won’t last forever, everything is temporary.
I have a message to all those who are grappling with challenges in their life —
Trust me! Nothing lasts forever. When in doubt, take some time off and spend time with yourself.
Spend some time getting to know yourself well, your fears, your insecurities, what makes you happy. Just like you’d do when you start dating a person.
Give yourself that time. There will be days, you’ll need to spoil yourself bad and there’ll be days you’ll need to be strict. The more you put yourself in various situations, the better you’ll get at fully living your potential.
