“Failure isn’t a negative word”
In 2020, I participated in ‘The Dialogue Project’ supported by Rubaroo as a knowledge partner. Little did I know that my life would turn for the better. By engaging myself in change-making for something I believe in, I eventually authored a book – a curriculum on social-emotional learning. All of this by the time I graduated from college – not something I’d dreamt of. And that’s why I want every young person to participate in Rubaroo’s programs. But first, let me take you through my journey.
Accidental Discovery
This is genuinely my favourite memory as I was part of ‘The Dialogue Project’, where Rashmi from Rubaroo had come in as a resource person, and that’s probably the first time someone told me there was a way to turn my ideas into workable models and generate real impact. I had so many ideas to jump on, and it felt empowering that I could execute them. And that’s how I connected with Rubaroo and just stuck around.
It started with the Changelooms-Changemaker Fellowship, where my project was on mental health awareness as a budding psychologist. Along with the team, we went on to develop an entire curriculum on social-emotional learning – and by the time we knew it – we were ready to publish the book. But this journey had its share of learnings where I had to unlearn and re-learn things.
An Ocean of Learning – Finding Your Identity and Purpose
The one thing I’ve learnt from Rubaroo and its spaces is identity – how there are two kinds. Given and chosen, it’s a beautiful concept. Growing up, so many different identities are provided to you, and you continue to carry them into adulthood. Then you finally feel so disconnected from yourself, and then when you come across something like this, you just have this moment, and you just take a step back and reclaim the narrative of your life.
I’ve found my purpose and ways to work on it. I’ve always wanted to do something in mental health, and Rubaroo has helped me find my niche and build a project around it. I ended up writing a book! It still feels unbelievable. I believe Rubaroo has enabled me to be a better version of myself. \From teaching me to turn my ideas into a full-fledged project with systems, assessments and the economics of it! Rubaroo has also taught me to share this agency they’ve empowered me with.
Reflection Down the Line
Reflecting on my journey, I feel Rubaroo creates a space where you think that agency and that fire in the pit of your stomach be a part of their impact and enable you to do so through courage and integrity. In the journey, there are always hiccups and roadblocks, but you’ll keep going because the community at Rubaroo makes you feel right at home with the compassion in their heart and the joy they share.
Four years later, I find myself more confident about myself and the decisions I make for my career and life. Living in a city that’s not your home, I’ve understood the importance of building a community, sharing your agency, and engaging people to walk you towards change.
Looking Ahead
I feel like academics, professional careers, and our usual communities don’t give us that space to reflect, look beyond what meets the eyes and challenge ourselves and the belief systems we’re born into. Spaces like Rubaroo help you understand your passions and interests better and empower you with resources to make changes and share the agency with other people in the communities we come from.
And I’d like to sign off with a small piece of advice for young changemakers – Failure isn’t a negative word or something that will ever define you. Failure always facilitates space to reflect and redesign whatever you’ve been working on.
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