In the first part of this dispatch, I encouraged you to

tell more humanising stories about your 'shiny' achievements.

And I promised to share exciting news with you. Here it is...

🌱 A leading international advocacy organisation has invited me to Nepal and sponsored me.

✈️ It's my first time in Nepal! I'm stoked. I'll learn and create momentum with 19 other international leaders to advance sustainable development with a focus on 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️+ human rights. This is an overlooked intersection. I see myself designing leadership programs in th eyears to come that advance wellbeing and make flourishing futures possible, particularly by resourcing LGBTQIA folks in Global South countries to step into their power, build climate adaptation systems, and lead their communities.

After the program, I have a few days to enjoy winter hiking in the Himalayas. 🧿

🍄 As I said, every shiny story we tell professionally also carries tenderness that we keep secret. You may celebrate your new leadership role while. Before I take you behind the scenes, I want to make something clear. I'm not showing this tenderness to undermine my brilliance, work, or expertise in any way. I'm confident in my vision. I can acquire new skills faster than many. And I back myself more than most think is possible. I'm showing you this tenderness because it's true, and because I'd rather be human than envied based on a half-truth!

I don't want to use the internet to paint a rosy, deceptively perfect picture of my life or work.

So here it goes...

I've dealt with more rejection this year than I'm used to. I was rejected from 4-5 dream initiatives in the last 3 months alone, including a writer's fellowship, a futures fellowship, and a regional conference.

As I clear the path to pilot my new not-for-profit project on LGBTQIA rights and flourishing futures, I frequently question whether my work is visible enough to the 'right' people. I navigate the pressure of being visible, even though I don't show it. Here's to being radically honest, Reader.

---

🌊 New segment: Blooming in my garden this month. 🌱

1 book: The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben

2 songs: All the Debts I Owe and 26 by Caamp​

3 activities: Frisbee on a crisp sunny evening. Consistent gym workouts. More home-cooked food. Ganeshotsav celebrations to welcome Lord Ganesh, affectionately called Bappa, were also a highlight!

Organically yours,
Aayaan