We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Veena (vee) Aragam. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Veena (Vee) below.
Hi Veena (Vee), so happy to have you on the platform and I think our readers are in for a treat because you’ve got such an interesting story and so much insight and wisdom. So, let’s start with a topic that is relevant to everyone, regardless of industry etc. What do you do for self-care and how has it impacted you?
Self-care is something I have struggled with all my life. I always came second, but since practicing self-care I have not only become healthier, but gained confidence and boundaries. I have done a lot for people around me without a thank you (because I never sought it, so not the point), but because I would always drop everything for them, they were running me ragged. Taking priority for yourself is the best way to show self-love and self-care since without your best self, there is no room to be able to help others.
It should never be you or them, but if you have the best you, you will be able to give to others.
Now, I do my best to show myself self-love by taking care of the simple things – taking breaks when needed, taking proper time off for myself, watching my diet and exercise, etc. I look forward to just relaxing when my work for the day is done, and it is my favorite thing to look forward to and I m happy to have come to a point where I could incorporate it into my everyday life.
I live a great life now and I wouldn’t have known what that was without practicing self-care by doing what is best for me.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am an independent artist and work under my own brand and recod label, xSubtlexSmilex®. I do fine art (mainly acrylic paintings and illustrations), hand-paint clothing, and do music. xSubtlexSmilex® was created when I decided to become an artist after my last career as a teacher and translator wasn’t really moving anywhere. It was a dead-end job, and I thought to myself, “If I don’t try now, how will I know?” So when I came home from working in Japan, I was teaching language and translation while I was building my own company. After some success, I had to choose one or the other, so I chose xSubtlexSmilex®, and it was the best decision of my life.
My current focus is on history and the spiritual world – and how stories and schools of thought from my Indian culture have helped me find peace and resilience, and have guided me in my own spiritual awakening. I also focus on how a recent school of thought known as “New Age Spirituality” takes from eastern thought and turns it into a western religion, while under the guise of “love and light” causes erasure of ancient and active cultures from the east. My last art show called “The Twin Flame Phenomenon Through the Music of Shiva and Shakti” was channeled messages through music from, what people call in the west, my “Twin Flame”, and talking of my experiences from using symbolism from Hinduism such as Shiva and Shakti and chakras.
During the reception event, I also shared of how introducing my spiritual experiences to the public through the “Twin Flame” concept allowed me to educate others on the spiritual phenomenon and how it has more depth in other schools of thought around the world (such as Hinduism and the concept of Yin and Yang) that should be used as main spiritual education rather than the western concept, which is mainly of the “romantic” concept behind it (example: “If you spiritually grow, you cana end up together!”), and not the goal of healing yourself for the sake of yourself.
(Just to be clear, just because you love your significant other does NOT mean you are “twin flames”!!)
My next project will also be focused on channeling through music, but also through quiet meditation. Please follow for more if you would like to learn of more spiritual concepts and growth though art!
My last musical project called “Dark Feminine” also was a spiritual concept – the side of the feminine that is usually shunned, but is an integral part of her. It’s a short project, but goes through the emotions of self-acceptance. There is more music to come, so please follow my socials if you are interested in that as well!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I’d say the three essential qualties that were the most impactful were my artistic skills, my voice, and my concept of self.
Of course, as an artist, there are many people in this community if they just “look the part”, and invest in talking big and looking fancy, they will only get so far. In my experience, even if you talk big and have nothing to show for it, then you might get some steps ahead in the beginning, but will always fall flat. When networking, bring your portfolio and show what you can do so the community trusts in your skills. Being humble but confident is really a great thing to work on. The “fake it till you make it” is a great way to help yourself build confidence, but make sure you have work to show for it.
With that confidence comes your voice. Of course, being able to physically represent yourself and your work at networking events and such is a great skill, but with your voice also comes with what you stand for. What does your work represent? Is it a part of you and what you believe? Artists can have skill, but skill only makes it so far without a voice. If you don’t have anything you stand for it’ll be hard to be seen. Think of what is unique to you, and your set – and that’s where your concept of self comes in.
The more you do art, or music, or whatever business endeavors you may have, the more you have to sit and think if what you’re doing stands for you. You will be synonymous with your work, so make sure what you are putting out represents you well! But one piece of advice – people learn, grow, and change, and so will their work. Allow yourself to do the same, you don’t have to stay a one-trick pony!
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
Teach me all they could about life before passing.
I was quite young when they passed, but I remember them everyday – and what they taught me everyday.
They often come in my dreams to give me guidance as well (and yes, I can see spiritual dreams, too).
So I feel without them teaching me forgiveness, grace, and humility, I wouldn’t be able to overcome so many obstacles in my life, and teach myself how to be happy in this lifetime.
I am really grateful for their physical presence back then, and their unlimited guidance now.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.xsubtlexsmilex.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xsubtlexsmilex/
- Twitter: https://x.com/xsubtlexsmilex
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@xSubtlexSmilex
Image Credits
All images are taken or belong to Vee (Veena Aragam) of xSubtlexSmilex®.
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
