Interview with Trupti Saraiya | Arts Based Therapy Practitioner | Clinical Music Therapist | Life Skills Counsellor | Founder at In Me Arts Based Therapy and Life Skills Counselling
At BrilliantRead Media, we always strive to bring meaningful and powerful stories from India and around the world to empower and motivate our growing community. As part of this endeavour, we invited Trupti Saraiya for an exclusive interview with us. Trupti is an Entrepreneur, Leader, Arts Based Therapy Practitioner, Clinical Music Therapist, Life Skills Counsellor and Founder of In Me Arts Based Therapy and Life Skills Counselling. Let’s learn more about her incredible journey, background, and advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Trupti:
Could you please talk us through your background and your journey?
Our backgrounds influence the direction of our forward journey to some extent. Yet, a major part of it is in our hands. Throughout my educational journey, work advancements, and a move across continents, I’ve consistently been curious about how to live life and learned ways to tap into it. Each experience presented opportunities to falter, retry, achieve small successes, learn new skills and move ahead.
My ventures: ‘In Me- Arts Based Therapy and Life Skills Counselling’ and ‘Snowballing Skill Based Education’, are born from my learning and relearning through diverse life experiences. Relearning is an important word for me.
Here is my story with its bits and turns.
My experiential learning journey began when I was 7, when my father took up a project in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – East Africa. We moved there with him.
In Dar, I transitioned from an American International School to a reputable local school. The changes exposed me to multiple cultures, pushing me out of my comfort zone. That helped in developing adaptability and my ability to overcome fears and ‘try’.
My schooling years were pleasant. Both schools had generous educators who nurtured their students’ diverse interests. My interest in science, speaking, reading, nature, music, and the arts got planted while I was in school. From my educators, I learnt how to be an interesting educator, while respecting the inherent traits of students, and some other amazing qualities, that currently influence my working style. I am always grateful to have had such versatile educators.
When I was 15, my parents told me to choose between London and Mumbai, for higher education. I listened to my inner voice and landed in a college of my choice in Mumbai. In college, I studied the sciences, made friends, explored my passions and got a better idea about my strengths.
Although I was still unclear about what I wanted to do in life, it made my ground stronger for my future. Interactions with peers and seniors improved my communication skills, creative thinking, and relationship management, skills that are now central to my professional identity.
College life taught me survival skills through its ups and downs. Because of this period, I can understand and help my young adult clients, and their parents, clear their confusions about their lives.
After a postgraduate Diploma in Advertising and Marketing and a Master’s degree, I began my career as a Copywriter in an Advertising Agency. This role spotlighted my empathy and sincerity, strengths that I carried into my next position as a Creative Thinking Facilitator with another organization.
Here, I developed facilitation skills and recognized the critical importance of nurturing self-esteem from a young age. I also learnt that if you love someone then don’t spoon-feed them. Show your care by allowing them to make mistakes, to falter, and grow their own wings.
Key words began emerging, Education, Self-esteem, Skills, Facilitation, Self-empowerment, Mind, People, Arts. I founded Snowballing in 2002, with a focus on educating mothers to facilitate Creative Thinking Skills and Self confidence in their children. This was followed by The Kidzest Program for Creative Thinking Skills, aimed at enhancing Creative Thinking in 5–15-year-olds. Moms Matter, a fortnightly club for mothers’ self-empowerment by way of sharing each other’s skills, was a super hit too.
My role as a Life Skills Coordinator with a leading school in Mumbai, expanded my horizon further, allowing me to integrate Life Skills education into school curricula, benefiting students, teachers and the school environment.
My journey took another turn as I followed my passion for the arts by doing a post-graduation Diploma in Arts Based Therapy, and a certification in Clinical Musicianship from WCCLF.
In 2021, I founded In Me – Arts Based Therapy and Life Skills Counselling, a venture that merges modalities of Arts therapy with Life Skills enhancing techniques, to facilitate self-discovery, creative expression, patience, purpose, potential and self-empowerment in a therapeutic setting.
‘In Me’ is a culmination of my educational and professional experiences. It represents my deep personal aspirations. It thrives on a personal mission of making a positive difference in small ways. It resonates with my clients’ satisfied experiences over the years. It is one of the most rewarding outcomes of my efforts so far.
How did you discover your passion?
I’ve known my passions since childhood, and I’ve been fortunate to have supportive individuals who helped me nurture them as I grew, especially at times when I felt lost and confused.
I stayed in touch with my strengths, likes, and dislikes, and developed a habit of introspection from an early age, so when my inner voice spoke, I listened. Meaningful conversations with friends, family, and colleagues played a significant role.
During one of those candid talks with a close friend, I was introduced to the world of Thinking Skills, and later, an exciting conversation with a colleague at school introduced me to the world of Arts Therapy.
Despite the challenges, what keeps you going when things get tough?
When faced with challenges, what keeps me going is to focus back on the path I want to pursue. Mindfulness practices taught me this. I narrow down my options and try to maintain persistence.
I am lucky to have had some tough times too. I acknowledge setbacks, learn and apply the lessons they come with. In fact, I tell parents, educators and children, that setbacks are the best learning grounds.
Engaging in open-minded conversations with family and close friends is crucial. I remain open to learning from other people.
I also believe that there is always another way. I look for it or patiently wait for it. Consistency, the will to seek solutions, and my love for all things natural drive me forward.
What are the most important lessons you have learned in your life?
> Every individual has got a couple of good capabilities, they must know what they are and how to use them.
> Our brain can change at any age. It needs the right input at the right time.
> Nothing is permanent.
> Setbacks are harsh learning opportunities.
> Relationships play a significant role in deciding the course of life. Let your relationships have a helpful influence on you, rather than a hindering one.
In your opinion what are the keys to success?
Success is a relative term. It is a standard set by the society. The first thing one must do is to define what success means to them personally.
Many achievers have written about being adaptable, continuous learning and humility. One can find the keys to success in good reads. What makes one feel successful, are their keys to success.
Here is what works for me:
– Being sincere.
– Maintaining humility and patience.
– Taking time to look for keywords that can help outline my aspirations.
– Knowing my passions at any age and learning skills to translate them into meaningful work, while continuously upgrading those skills.
– Being willing to accept and adapt to change.
– Engaging in meaningful conversations.
– Making timely decisions based on current strengths and weaknesses.
– Spending quality time with myself, loved ones, like-minded individuals, and those smarter than me, especially street-smart folks!
– Maintaining an attitude of gratitude.
– A generous nature.
– Viewing roadblocks as the best learning grounds- they come with abundant opportunities that we can see only if we don’t waste time whining.
What advice would you give students and young professionals who want to have a successful career?
1) Define clearly what success means to you and be open to changing it as times evolve.
2) Discover your signature passion and carry it with you everywhere. Learn skills to manifest your passion into actions that contribute to your progress.
3) Work on inherent strengths and convert them into skills; learned skills never go to waste.
4) When confused about what to do, jot down keywords, connect the dots, and see what emerges. Brainstorm with reliable sources and keep an open mind.
5) Develop a habit of self-reflection to understand yourself better, your likes, dislikes, proactive behaviour, and all your “whys.” Identify areas for improvement and what inspires you.
6) Regularly review your progress every fortnight or month. Identify actions to be taken with a timeline, and acknowledge achievements, no matter how small.
7) Have one or two mentors for professional guidance and personal growth. Be transparent and trust them.
8) Engage in conversations with like-minded individuals and those in different fields.
9) Continuously gain knowledge, upgrade your skills, adopt new methods for growth, share your knowledge, and remain consistent.
10) Be your own best friend – practice self-compassion.
11) Listen to your inner voice while being open to suggestions from those who care and matter.
12) Learn mindfulness.
13) Find a counsellor or therapist to explore and express your emotions, thoughts, and feelings, discover your purpose, and learn ways to manage your life
Last but not least, what about your journey makes it satisfying/exciting?
I’ve usually pursued what brings me joy, with many childhood passions still alive in me. I am also satisfied that I have had multiple down moments. In hindsight, I have learnt the best stuff about myself during such times. Most of my work involves interpersonal interactions, which I find fulfilling.
Heartwarming feedback from individuals who have experienced positive shifts through Snowballing programs and In Me sessions adds to the satisfaction. Families have come together to support members in need or resolve conflicts and move forward. Those moments highly motivating.
I enjoy conceptualising and creating In Me social media posts. It’s brought back my passion for writing bite-sized, inspiring, thoughts!
Regardless of age or profession, for inner strength and knowing yourself better, you can find In Me self-empowering prompts on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/truptisaraiya and on Instagram at Nurture.InMe.
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