Meet Sumedha Sharma

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sumedha Sharma. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sumedha below.

Hi Sumedha, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

I developed my confidence and self-esteem through quite a personal journey. Growing up, I was always the bigger kid, and I often felt overshadowed by people who seemed like they walked straight out of a magazine. I used to hide behind loose clothes and make jokes about myself to deflect attention.

Everything changed when I went to Milan to study. Being in such a vibrant and diverse city helped me discover who I really am and fall in love with myself. I learned that comparing myself to others was pointless because everyone is unique. It was liberating to understand that I didn’t have to follow the crowd but could forge my own path by accepting myself as I am.

Photography played a huge role in this transformation. I started by taking photos of people on the streets, which I loved, and then I turned the camera on myself. Sharing those photos with thoughtful captions, rather than just following social media trends, really resonated with others. It was amazing to see how many people related to my journey, and that positive feedback gave me a significant boost in confidence and self-esteem.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

My journey started in engineering, but I quickly realized it wasn’t my true calling. I’ve always had a deep love for creating—there’s something magical about working with your hands. As a kid, I’d repurpose old clothes into something new and trendy. Later on, I dabbled in sketching and painting, never really sticking to one medium. I don’t consider myself an artist in the traditional sense because my creations have never been about selling or fitting into a single category.

My first paid gig came when an e-commerce company bought some of my designs to use as prints for their clothing line. That was a huge boost and inspired me to start my own clothing brand, which, despite its short run, received a lot of appreciation. Unfortunately, COVID-19 disrupted those plans, but it led me to pursue a master’s in interior design.

Now, I work as an interior designer for high-end residences, and it’s incredibly rewarding to help people turn their spaces into homes they love. My passion for creating hasn’t faded; whenever I get a moment, I dive into art and craft, making everything from small pieces of furniture to artwork for my home.

I’m excited about my future plans, which include launching a lifestyle store where I can showcase and sell my art, furniture, and curated clothing from emerging designers. My goal is to create a vibrant, welcoming space where creativity thrives and others like me have a platform to shine.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, three qualities have been most impactful in my journey:

Embracing Self-Acceptance: Learning to love and accept myself, despite societal pressures and expectations, was crucial. It allowed me to explore my creativity without fear of judgment. My advice to those starting out is to embrace who you are and focus on your unique strengths rather than comparing yourself to others. Self-acceptance can be a powerful driver for personal and professional growth.

Adaptability and Curiosity: My willingness to switch between different mediums—from painting and sketching to designing and crafting—played a big role in my journey. Being adaptable and curious about various forms of creativity helps you discover what truly excites you. My advice is to stay open to new experiences and be willing to pivot as you learn more about your passions and skills.

Resilience and Perseverance: Facing setbacks, like the impact of COVID-19 on my clothing brand, taught me the importance of resilience. Despite these challenges, I continued to pursue my passion through interior design and personal art projects. To those early in their journey, remember that obstacles are part of the process. Stay resilient, keep pushing forward, and use challenges as opportunities to learn and grow.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

When I feel overwhelmed, I start by stepping away from the noise, especially from social media. It can be a double-edged sword—while it’s great for inspiration and sharing my work, it can also be overwhelming when trends become all-consuming and seem to drown out individuality. I remind myself to focus on what makes my work unique and not get lost in following the crowd.

To manage this, I make a conscious effort to create original content and pursue projects that resonate with my personal vision rather than chasing trends. This approach helps me stay true to my creative instincts and reduces the pressure to conform.

I also find it helpful to set aside time for self-care and reflection. Whether it’s engaging in a personal art project, taking a walk, or simply enjoying some quiet time, these moments help me recharge and regain my focus. By balancing my creative work with these strategies, I can better handle the overwhelming aspects of social media and stay centered in my own path.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suemeeeeeeeee/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sumedha-sharma-443023139

Image Credits

Thanks to my friends who agreed to be models for my clothing brand, trusted my vision and direction and made it a success.