Richa Gangopadhyay Instagram – It almost feels like a lifetime ago. 17-hour long days balancing overlapping film shoots, pre and post-production promotions and interviews, memorizing scripts in non-native languages, brand endorsements, ramp walks, martial arts training, traveling multiple times a week- back and forth from Mumbai to Hyderabad and Chennai, attending industry events, meeting with producers and directors, finding time to catch up with family and friends back home, in the U.S. and just…living. ⁣ ⁣ It takes a toll on you.⁣ ⁣ The world of glamour, glitz, fame and fortune…is all just the tip of the iceberg. There’s more to it than meets the eye. ⁣ The pursuit of the entertainment industry is not for the faint of heart. It requires incredible mental, emotional and physical stamina. It extracts your deepest insecurities when you think you’re confident. It takes immense courage to say “no” to what doesn’t feel right. It demands more energy than you could imagine. It’s a lonely place, when you’re struggling and just starting off, and especially when you’re on top.⁣ ⁣ Taking care of your mental health is non-negotiable, especially in this field. You can achieve success without compromising your soul or body. You CAN forge meaningful bonds with people if you see beyond the superficial “filmi parties”. You can develop as a human being and learn from your journey. You can live a life of purpose. You can train yourself to have a healthier mindset. And, you can always change your mind altogether. 🙌🏼 My journey taught me that through all the pivots and multiple leaps of faith over the past decade…from awkward, shy girl growing up, to winning a national pageant, to pursuing an insanely risky career in the Indian film industry in the middle of college, to quitting at the peak of my acting career, returning to do my MBA, to venturing into a corporate management career to embarking on an entrepreneurial venture: You don’t have to have it all figured out. Embrace the journey of finding your purpose. ⁣ ⁣ Taking care of yourself is going to lay the foundation for all the uncertainty life throws at you. Learning to love yourself is a journey. You ARE good enough. Don’t you forget it.