This July has been a beautiful journey, full of opportunities, new faces, heartfelt conversations, and a deeper understanding of my own strengths.

The Journey of a Storyteller in the Making

For those who don’t know me, I was in IT for 9 years. Then motherhood arrived, and boom, Excel sheets were replaced with diaper sheets. Somewhere between sleepless nights and snack negotiations, I decided to quit my job (after 764 rounds of “Should I? Shouldn’t I?”).

And that’s when I accidentally discovered storytelling. Yes, that’s a real job and no, I don’t just read books out loud. I act, I perform, I make faces, I dance like a monkey, sometimes I overact. What to do!!! that’s what kids love. I am a performance storyteller.

July was wild, in a good way. Met amazing humans, told some stories, forgot a few lines, and laughed through it all. Still figuring out this crazy, wonderful path. But hey, if you are looking for a overacting but enthusiastic storyteller, I am your person.

From Hesitation to Hope as a Storyteller

For months, I kept telling myself, “I need to make a portfolio, I really should” But between laziness, self-doubt, and not knowing where to begin, I just didn’t. The idea stayed in my head, waiting for its moment.

Finally, that moment came, I pulled myself together, pieced everything bit by bit, and ta-da! my storyteller portfolio was ready.

Next came the scary part, approaching schools.

That felt like a whole other mountain to climb. Should I walk in? What do I say? How do I even introduce storytelling as a service? But eventually, I decided to stop overthinking and just show up. I visited playschools one after the other. To my surprise, people were curious and excited, many didn’t even know storytelling could be a profession.

Though I didn’t land any offers right away, I gave demo sessions so they could see my work firsthand. While many appreciated my energy and storytelling style, pricing became the tricky part. I offered a fair rate, but some came back with quotes so low, it stung, not because of the money, but because it made me question whether they saw the value I was bringing.

One particular day, I came home disappointed after a school offered me an unreasonably low amount. I questioned myself.

But the very next day, I walked into another school with the same energy and passion, and at the end of that session, the teacher handed me a letter. A beautiful note of appreciation with kind words, and she said, “Use this as your testimonial.” I hadn’t asked for it, and yet, there it was, a reminder of why I do this.

That day, I walked back home with pride in my heart, thinking not about what didn’t work, but about what else I could do to bring joy and meaning through storytelling.

Being a solopreneur is an emotional rollercoaster, some days are high with wins, others come with self-doubt. But the beauty is, I get to choose what I do, where I do it, and how I grow.

And this is just the beginning.

When Your Name Appears in the Newspaper and It Feels Surreal

In June, I received a call from an influencer inviting me to be part of a storytelling session for a charity event. I said yes without thinking twice but I had no idea that small yes would bring me something so special.

Honestly, with events like these, you are never too sure. They reach out a month or a week in advance, and things often get rescheduled or cancelled last minute. You only believe it’s happening when you actually step onto the stage. And luckily, this one did happen.

I found myself under a humble roof, surrounded by underprivileged children attending tuition classes run by kind-hearted volunteers. As I began my storytelling session, their eyes lit up, laughter echoed, and their smiles, those smiles made my heart overflow.

At the end, I asked them, “Out of 10, how much would you rate my storytelling?”
Some shouted “10”, a few said “100”, and one child yelled “a million”
That moment hit me deeply, it reminded me exactly why I chose this path. That was the why behind my storytelling.

The very next day, the head of the charity organization messaged me: “Your storytelling was a hit!” Along with her message came a snapshot of an article in The Hindu and there it was,
“Storytelling was done by Sakthimadhumita.”

It was just one line. But for me, it was everything.
The first time I saw my name in print, not as someone from IT, not just as a mom but as a storyteller.

I have been calling myself a storyteller for a while, nice to know the newspaper agrees:)

Book of the Month: The 5 AM Club by Robin Sharma

Books have always been my constant companions on trips, during quiet evenings, or whenever I needed a little escape or inspiration. They have shaped my perspective, helped me grow, and honestly, made my life better.

One of my 2025 resolutions has been to read 12 books, one every month. And for July, my pick was The 5 AM Club by Robin Sharma.

I first discovered Robin Sharma through YouTube, and his practical, inspiring content got me hooked. Eventually, I picked up his books and every single one has left me feeling uplifted and motivated. The 5 AM Club is no exception.

Interestingly, this wasn’t my first time reading it. I had read it about two years ago, but this time, it felt like a completely different book. Isn’t it fascinating how certain books hit you differently depending on when you read them?

Back then, it felt motivating but some parts didn’t fully land with me. Now, in 2025, reading it again felt like it was written for me. Maybe it’s because I am in a different phase of life now, more open, more ready to receive its message. That’s the magic of self-help books, they reveal new layers when you revisit them at different stages of your journey.

Have you ever experienced that too? When a book you once read suddenly feels more meaningful the second or third time around?

I highly recommend The 5 AM Club to anyone looking to transform their life, build discipline, or simply start the day with intention. Because yes, big changes often begin with small habits, like waking up early.

Getting a Year Older

Turning 33 didn’t hit as hard as turning 30 did, maybe I have made peace with this whole “growing older” thing by now.

These days, birthdays don’t feel like a big celebration anymore. No parties, no grand plans. This year, it was just the three of us, my husband, my little one, and me. We visited a temple, enjoyed a peaceful stay nearby, indulged in some delicious food, and soaked in quiet family time.

There were sweet, simple moments, dad and son bonding over swimming, building sandcastles by the beach, and just letting time slow down a little.

It wasn’t loud or fancy, but it was everything I needed, fun, relaxing, and a lovely break from routine. Now, back to the beautiful chaos of everyday life but with a full heart.

July has been a month of little wins, quiet reflections, and meaningful moments, from rediscovering a powerful book to stepping out of my comfort zone as a storyteller, and cherishing simple family time. It reminded me that growth doesn’t always look grand, it often comes in whispers, slow steps, and smiles exchanged with strangers. Here’s to carrying these memories forward and welcoming August with the same heart and hope.

xoxo,

Mita