Meet Meera Agarwalla

We were lucky to catch up with Meera Agarwalla recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Meera, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
Being the only one in the room can often feel isolating and unnerving. It can cause fear and anxiety. I felt this way for a long time too. But over time, I realized that when you embrace your own experience and authenticity, you speak from a platform of confidence and empowerment. Being different, whether it’s in looks or in diversity in thought is a superpower. It provides you with an opportunity to really speak your truth from your perspective. And the passion and authenticity with which you speak can positively influence others to learn something new, think about something differently, and ultimately challenge their own biases or exposure.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I have a long-form blog called Questions & Comments where I question and comment on lifestyle, well-being, parenting, and culture in modern society. I really want to get my audience thinking about how we approach societal expectations and systems, what we can do to drive our own inner contentment within those confines, and ask how we can make ourselves more intentional in accomplishing our priorities. I believe having a framework of values and principles to live by is imperative so that no matter what comes up, we are equipped to deal with challenges and help us live life fully. I am also launching the “coaching” part of my platform, where I will advise on overall improvement strategies in areas that are most critical to you so you can live a life of balance.

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?
The most impactful 3 skills for me are: resilience, adaptability, and passion. Without passion, the road to your end destination will make it more obliging and less motivating. Find your ikigai. Adaptability is crucial, because nothing stays the same and everything and everyone changes. Go with the flow, look at everything from different angles, and commit to growing and evolving without pride. Lastly, resilience is what distinguishes a survivor from a thriver. We all have setbacks, challenges, and adversity in different ways, but it’s our inner voice and our attitude that motivates you to get up and keep going no matter what. Find mentors or resources who embody skills you appreciate and learn from them. Ask questions, get engaged, and most importantly, practice them every day. Introspect and be mindful of how to incorporate them in your routine. Skills are muscles like anything else and we need to exercise them often in order to get stronger.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
The Art of Happiness by the Dalai Lama. I read this book twice after two particularly challenging situations in my life and it helped me see the bigger picture of life. What is it you want? Can and how do you achieve it? What is within your control? The main takeway from the book is that happiness is accessible through your mindset rather than external factors or circumstances that surround you. The main themes focus on Compassion (wanting to see others free from suffering and focusing on helping others rather than just yourself), Relationships (maintaining positive, healthy and intimate connections with friends and family around you), and Acceptance (detaching yourself from negativity and accepting those we don’t like for who they are). These are all issues that come up in our daily lives that we all struggle to confront. Being prepared sets us up for being able to live the life we want.

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Image Credits
Peter & Julie Perez

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