The Dabangg actress Sonakshi Sinha was one of the speakers on India Today E Mind Rocks 2020. She will next be seen in Bhuj: The Pride of India, along with Ajay Devgn.
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In conversation with India Today, Sonakshi spoke about the importance of self-love, how to stay away from negativity, what she does when she is in a bad mood, and more.
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ON HOW TO STAY AWAY FROM NEGATIVITYI am nobody to guide but I can speak from personal experience, being on social media for so long. I have kind of seen it grow into this monster that it has become today. I have always been a very positive person but then you never know how something can affect you. You wake up in the morning, open your handle and read a negative comment. At that moment you might just put it away but then it later comes out like you might snap at someone at work, or home. So you never know how these things affect you and that is a very negative aspect to have in your life. So for me, the best way to stay away from it is to not be on it (social media). Since I have left Twitter, I have been happier (laughs). It is surprising and shocking how these things can bog you down without you even realising it.
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ON HOW TO BE MENTALLY HAPPYWe have doctors for our body, I think it is very important to treat our mind as well. I discovered meditation when the lockdown happened. It centres, balances and keeps you in the moment. It also brings you back from wherever your mind has wandered. I think it is like magic and something that I always wanted to do. I have been working continuously these ten years without getting the chance to think about all of this. Initially I was averse to it, but then I realised its importance. And the importance of being at one with yourself. It is really important to meditate, for your mind. And it is something as simple as just deep breathing, focusing on your breath.
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ON STIGMA ATTACHED TO VISITING A PSYCHIATRISTCOUNSELLORWe haven't been able to normalise it and there are too many misconceptions around it, hence, people are reluctant. It is as simple and normal as a regular doctor's visit to fix your body. Also, it doesn't have to be someone who is visibly distressed. It could be someone who looks perfectly happy on the outside but is facing something within themselves. Sometimes, it is more important to speak to someone who is neutral and has no judgements about you. For instance, a family member or a friend might not understand what you are going through from an outsider's perspective. So, it is important to speak to someone who will look at it objectively. It is as simple as that, there is nothing wrong with it.
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ON THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING A SUPPORT SYSTEMIt is very important to have a good support system around you. Having a good equation with the ones around you really helps. I keep my circle small. I don't like to add people to my circle who won't add anything to my life or will take something away from it. So, for me, I have managed to keep my life positive by just doing that. It is up to you, who and what thoughts that you let in. So, it is good to have a support system but sometimes it is also good to speak to someone who is not a part of your support system. Therapy is something that a lot of people from my generation and millennials are turning to and it helps. Many friends of mine have tried out therapy and it really helped them.
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ON EXTERNAL VALIDATION SOUGHT THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIADon't believe everything that you see on social media. A lot of it is done for likes and followers. So a lot of it ends up being very fake and I think the thing that you can do to make yourself most unhappy is by start comparing your life to what you see online. Once people realise that, they will understand that it isn't how it should be. You could be surrounded by people and still feel lonely. For me too, I was always surrounded by people and when the lockdown happened, I didn't know what to do with myself and that is when I turned to meditation. I think everybody needs to find a way to just being one with themselves because once you do that you won't need people and be very happy.
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ON HER RELATIONSHIP STATUSI am single but I am feeling funny to admit that I have always wanted to be married (laughs). That's one thing but right now that is something that I am willing to wait for. I am proud that I have been able to build myself a career and I am very happy with the work that I am doing and honestly I have reached a point where I am okay to wait for the right person to come along. When that happens, I will be very happy but until then also, I am happy.
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ON THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING A PURPOSE TO KEEP THE MIND HAPPYEverything begins with you. You have to be happy, content with yourself and with what you are doing. It is only when you are happy with yourself that you will find happiness outside. So whether it is a relationship, work, marriage, friendship, you need to be able to love yourself before sharing that love with someone else. So, I think it is very important to be content with yourself.
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ON ACCEPTING CHANGE DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMICWith the pandemic came a lot of negativity and frustration. As we see even on social media that people have just started turning very bitter. When you start watching yourself for these emotions, accept them, understand them, but then overcome them. I think it is very important to strive for positivity, especially at a time like this when we are cut off with people. There will be good days and bad as well. At the end of the day, you have to be strong and remind yourself that tomorrow is a new day. Having a positive mindset is important.
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ON COPING WITH BAD DAYSI try and sleep it off. That is the best thing I can do, I think. Do something that you really like. For me, painting brings me back to the moment. Dancing also makes me feel very happy. Hence it is important to find something that you like to do and divert your energy there. It is okay not to be okay.
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