- A joyful journey of self-love with Tiara
Mental health is not a choice that has to be made in our lives, but a component that needs to be addressed daily. To live a healthy and passionate life, it is important to have a steady mindset.
In March 2020, Growth Initiative was launched with the aim of creating mental health awareness among society. Today, Voice Unheard is in conversation with a young and qualified life and mindset coach who is in the forefront during the present days, especially with the youth to help them have a strong mindset.
“Take care of your mind. Eat good food. Drink water. Breathe deeply. Be present with yourself and others,” shared Growth Initiative Founder Tiara Munasinghe.
Following are excerpts of the conversation.
What is Growth Initiative and what is the purpose of it?
The purpose behind Growth Initiative is to help and guide people to see how amazing they truly are within themselves. Two years ago, I found myself looking for courage, purpose, love, and discipline, but all I was really looking for was myself, and I found all that within me. I thought to myself, after a whole year of intense self-love, self-discovery, and major self-development, that I could help people. I’ve learnt from people like Tony Robbins, Bob Proctor, and a few other very exceptional mindset coaches, invested in courses, seminars, and events that will uplevel my mindset. So why not be a coach and impact the world like I was once impacted, right? We have infinite potential and power within us and yet, because of previous conditioning and negativity at some points of our lives, we forget that we are so incredible as human beings.
What sentiments do you intend to bring out through the initiative?
I intend on making a movement across the world someday soon, so that growth is fun. Growth becomes fun and joyful, rather than when people go to seminars, sit, write, drink water, and come back. Yes, it is effective to some degree, but nothing is as lasting as contagious energy. I am a huge believer of energy and so, in any of my coaching calls or any events that I’ve done, music is a priority – moving and feeling good is a priority. I always make sure I have fun no matter what I do. I always want to enjoy every moment and see the good in things. If we are frowning and in a bad mood all the time, how do we absorb every moment? How do we enjoy and live fully? You’ll always be stuck in a cycle of living in a boring state of mind.
Life is way too short to take everything seriously and let it pass. In my vision for this company, I see people being impacted to love themselves and their lives, to be more aware of their own behaviour, and to always strive to step up to the next level.
What is the thought process like prior to launching the organisation?
I was in a place in my life where everything was flowing for me. I was not in pain nor was I lost in purpose. However, I knew I was meant for something more. In December 2019, I was approached by someone on Instagram and they asked for guidance; they didn’t know where they were going in terms of life and needed help in figuring out their path. I was not a coach, I was not certified on paper, but I had it in me to help in any way I could, even if that meant just saying “you got this, you can do it”. I did not know what I was doing, but one thing I made a huge deal about was gratitude, and after a lot of gratitude list messages, they found their way, focused on themselves, gave themselves what they were missing, and found it within themselves to get up, dust themselves off, and not give up.
I was so proud of the progress this person made and a few months later, I thought to myself, I can do this. I can help. I have love in me enough to help people find love within themselves; I may sound like I’m bragging, but believe me when I say this, I was not this person. I was lost and I was the biggest people-pleaser, always going with whatever people said, and did not have the courage to stand alone. But I was put in a position where I didn’t have a soul to cry on, so I learnt the hard way to have my own back and that was all the fuel I needed to start this.
What is mental health to you as a life and mindset coach?
Mental health to me is everything, literally. They say health is the greatest wealth, right? That’s true. In that saying, I think they imply mostly physical health, but health is the wellbeing of a person, whether it be mental, social, physical, or intellectual. Mental health to me is being okay, being happy with my life – smiling at the clouds, not feeling any burden on me, feeling light, and just being in the knowing that everything is happening for me and not to me. My mental health horribly deteriorated in 2019 after a break up; I was constantly having panic attacks, couldn’t breathe or walk or sleep, and it took me a lot of learning about focus and how to interrupt the pattern that’s going on in my head to be okay and never go back to that stage of my life. Thoughts control everything. Mental health is everything; mental health can go up or down depending on the perpetuation of your thoughts. Period.
What do you think should be addressed within the country and around the world when it comes to mental health?
Take care of your mind. Eat good food. Drink water. Breathe deeply. Be present with yourself and others. Spending time with yourself and learning to love yourself is so crucial for your happiness, so do that. Grow as a person; if you don’t trust coaches yet, read a book in the self-[development world and expose yourself to growth starting today. You’ll see major change and this goes to all ages – it doesn’t matter if you’re a retiree or a highschool graduate, and this is for all people from all walks of life.
In terms of addressing it to the country, the biggest thing I would say is put yourself first. In a country where the majority focuses on pleasing other people and going according to society’s standards, it’s important to see that you yourself are important too. So choose what’s best for you and pursue it with all your heart and grit. If you struggle with mental health, I’m telling you right now, even if it may seem like the end of the world, it’s not. You are so powerful beyond measure and you can do anything you put your mind to. Also, get the help you need, regardless of what anyone says. Put you first.
What kind of issues do you address the most? What is your basic advice on that particular issue?
I address a lot of self-image questions. It became kind of my expertise since that’s where I started and I wanted to address the most because what I discovered is that all the answers you’re possibly looking for are within you. Whatever question you have, whether it be “why do I have so many problems” or “how can I be and do better”, the answer lies within you.
My clients usually want a lot of purpose-driven solutions, so nearly all of my clients actually come to me because they need clarity and to find strategies to have a good mindset – a mindset where if you fall, you can get back up stronger; a mindset that doesn’t get fazed by anything, and that’s what I provide.
What is the most addressed issue among the youth and what do you think is the best way to address it?
The most addressed issue in our generation is to love and respect yourself. I remember before I truly started caring about myself, I used to post pictures of me drinking a mocha and I’d caption it “self-love”. Little did I know that self-love is such a huge topic; it is so deep and important and yet, so many of us are still unclear that self-love also means learning, eating well, stopping bad habits, protecting your energy, getting help from professionals, going on walks, etc. When I look back, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone talk about how self-love is actually doing the hard work like disciplining yourself, educating yourself, and doing things you don’t like that will serve you in the future. I took it upon myself to make self-love be the most beautiful and fun thing ever; I want self-love to be flowy and also a hustle that everyone should be prioritising.
Tell us about Growth Initiative coaching. How does it work?
I offer one-on-one coaching for now, and by the start of next year, I will be having a few courses designed for people to dig in and help themselves. For one-on-one coaching, it’s best if you have a look at my website first, where the details are mentioned. Then reach out to me on Instagram and message me, so we can discuss the package/s you desire. Payment plans are included for clients who are in Sri Lanka, and everything from the sign up onwards will be conducted online.
IG: @growthinitiative.co
Web: www.growthinitiative.co
Email: grow@growthinitiative.com
