Dear Reader,

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Throughout this year, my guiding light has been my word of the year: "belonging."
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​Belonging is an intrinsic part of the human experience, irrespective of one's background or identity.​
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As the year winds down, I wanted to reflect on my word of the year and share some valuable insights gained from my journey.
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𝟏. 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐤𝐞𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠. Rather than constantly seeking validation from others, start by accepting yourself exactly as you are. This year, as I rebranded, I shared my authentic self, leaving behind the need to hide aspects I once concealed.
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𝟐. 𝐄𝐦𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐦: You don't need to fit into a box or choose a singular identity. With bi-cultural roots, I've relished the freedom to embody both, celebrating the rich tapestry of my heritage. I can seamlessly shift between being a blonde Indian American who dons leopard prints and saris, showcasing the beautiful fusion of cultures.
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𝟑. 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞: Rejection, while often painful, can be a profound teacher. It helped me find an empowered version of myself. I've realized that if there isn't a place for me, I can create my own. This mindset shift has given me the confidence to explore unchartered territories.
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𝟒. 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡: Don’t hide yours. If someone judges your level of refinement based on your accent, it often reveals their limited perspective. I've learned to treasure my accent as an essential aspect of my identity, understanding that multilingualism is a powerful tool for bridging cultural gaps and forging connections effortlessly.
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𝟓. 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬: One of the most fulfilling aspects of my journey this year has been empowering women to find their sense of belonging. From nurturing this idea in young girls to supporting women in mid-life, fostering belonging through identity has been an essential part of my mission.

𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘰𝘯𝘶𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘦.
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𝟔. 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐠𝐮𝐫𝐮𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐩𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐬. The more deeply you connect with yourself, the less inclined you are to place people on pedestals. If any “guru” is making you feel less than about yourself it is time to unfollow them and take charge of your own personal power.
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❌ Hit replay and let me know which of these insights resonates with you the most.
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Wishing you peace and belonging!

Alpana – Visual Brand Coach, Content Strategist, Photographer, and Storyteller. I help women entrepreneurs become unforgettable through brand storytelling.

P.S. I'm thinking about hosting a vision board event focused on the word of the year. If you'd like to participate, please send a DM with the word "vision," and I'll share the details with you.

PPS. Stay connected on Instagram!​