There’s often this relationship and the work-life slump that everyone warns you about. And then, there are days when you’re twiddling your thumbs at work and dreaming about a nice weekend plan that'd really help you unplug from this screen lit bustle.
While most of us are chasing after the ‘feel good’ factor, it is the conscious living that we often miss out on. And, that is exactly what Malika Suri, an entrepreneur aims to focus on with her venture Mimansa, which is ‘a well-being space that provides a combination of food, play and balance to a community that believes in sustainability and conscious living.’ In a candid chat, she shares the inside track with us.
“I get inspired when people implement what they believe in or get closed to a meaningful lifestyle and not doing things because of social ‘norms," begins Malika, who is armed with a masters in child psychology. Simply put, this womanpreneur's offering is directed at us — the urban millennial—whose rich enough for iPhones but way too broke to switch off and invest in one’s emotional well-being.
Speaking about the impetus behind the space; she takes us through her growing up years. “My formative years were largely spent shuttling between America and India. This brought with it a whole lot of identity crisis –– constantly packing, moving, settling, and then packing again left me lost in many ways. And when I sought answers, especially in Religion class in school, I got into trouble for ‘asking too many questions.’ Needless to say, this left my sense of identity severely wanting.”
Going by her Facebook page, her venture is a one-shop-stop for those on the lookout for a breather from the screen lit bustle. The space consists of an indoor café, a lifestyle retail boutique & a rooftop garden with a movement studio. Her vision has always remained to inspire and help people to shift over to natural, holistic and sustainable living. “It's not 100 percent possible to go completely natural, living in the city and even if one could do so or have an intention to do so, then one would face basic challenges from the infrastructure of the city—water, energy sources and the like. However, one could bring about a change in their everyday life, family etc. Such as the food one consumes and the products one puts on their bodies.”
Quite an early riser, Malika likes to streamline things and go about her day with a daily plan. “I try to be disciplined with my routine. I usually start my day at 5:30 am and run three times a week and indulge in some or the other physical activity. I sit for 30 minutes and observe an object, then study my thoughts and then eventually come to an analytical thinking of any one of the teachings I heard earlier on a podcast… This is something that is very challenging but I try and keep at it every day.”
While she loves what she does, there’s always an unwinding plan to go back to. “Being close to Mother Nature in a place where I find my connect, brings me to make a monthly visit to the organic farms we are working with. Going for cycling or trekking holidays, exploring new cities, places, countries, working with children, reading and spending time with animals are some of the things I look forward to. Currently, I am learning how to play the Ukulele, learning new skills, enhancing and trying to be a better person," she signs off.
