PVLF 2025

Interview with Damini Grover, Author "Time to Come Home: Sowing the Seeds of Self-Love for Lasting Happiness"

Damini Grover discusses her book 'Time to Come Home' and how self-love can lead to lasting happiness and fulfillment.
on Jan 10, 2025

Self-Love and Happiness: An Interview with Damini Grover| Frontlist

Damini Grover is a counselling psychologist, life coach, and founder of I’M Powered Centre for Counselling & Well-Being in Delhi, India. With a decade of experience in mental and emotional health, she uses an eclectic therapeutic approach to empower clients globally. Damini has received prestigious awards, including the Spiritual Leader Award (2020) and the Best Mental Health Solutions Provider (2022). Her articles have appeared in leading publications, such as The Elephant Journal, The Statesman, The Guardian, and Deccan Chronicle, reflecting her passion for personal growth and empowerment. Beyond her professional pursuits, Damini is an avid reader, writer, and dance enthusiast, inspiring others on their journey of self-discovery.

Frontlist: As we step into the New Year, many people set goals for self-improvement. How can readers use the lessons in your book "Time to Come Home" to make self-love a practical and lasting resolution for 2025?

Damini: I think when it comes to self-improvement, one mistake that we all end up making is simply focusing on a list of things that we need to, must, or should achieve, and most of the time, we aren't really aligned with those tasks or goals at all. We are doing them because we recognize they are important in general but fail to reflect on whether they are important for us at that moment or not. Loving yourself is about going inward and personalizing everything! You have to be intentional with what goals you want to set and why. Until and unless you recognize the personal relevance of something, you will not be motivated and committed enough to pursue it. For instance, I should be reading books and listening to podcasts because they are essential for my personal and professional development. But I don't feel inclined to do any of that. I have a lot on my plate, and I don't have the mental bandwidth to absorb more information, and I'm perfectly okay with it. If I start pressuring myself, I will be adding more stress onto myself, and that is going to be counterproductive. I have learned to be silent or step away from my inner critic, who keeps telling me to do more even if I'm not feeling up for it.

So, In Time to Come Home, I emphasize that self-love is not a destination but a journey. Readers can also start by acknowledging their inner critic and replacing self-judgment with self-compassion. The book provides practical exercises to cultivate self-awareness, which is the foundation of self-love. By identifying their needs, setting boundaries, and prioritizing their well-being, readers can create a sustainable practice of self-love that becomes a part of their daily lives, not just a fleeting New Year's resolution.

Frontlist: Your Book offers insights into overcoming self-doubt. What strategies from the book can readers use to develop a deeper sense of self-acceptance and confidence as they embrace the opportunities of a new year?

Damini: The book offers tools like reflective journaling, affirmations, and mindfulness to help readers confront and dissolve self-doubt. A key strategy is learning to separate one's self-worth from external validation. By recognizing their inherent value and embracing imperfections, readers can build a deeper sense of self-acceptance. As they step into the new year, these practices will empower them to face challenges with confidence and grace.

Frontlist: Many believe self-love is a selfish or indulgent pursuit. How does your book address these misconceptions, and how can readers reframe their perspective to see self-love as essential for their overall happiness in the year ahead?

Damini: We use the term selfish quite loosely, and more so every time someone is doing something that is the opposite of what we want. We are raised to believe that we will matter only if people around us are happy. Hence, our life's purpose is prioritizing everyone and everything else over us. But that's neither true nor the right way of approaching yourself and your relationships. So, in my book, I have broken down every misconception we have ever encountered about self-love while beginning with a definition of what I think love and self-love are. Once we reframe our understanding of these two essential concepts, challenge the misconceptions, and focus on building a healthy relationship, we feel more aligned with ourselves and our relationships. Going by that, readers are encouraged to view self-love as an act of responsibility toward their happiness and well-being, ultimately benefiting everyone around them.

Frontlist: Your book talks about reclaiming agency over our happiness. How can individuals start recognizing their worth and creating space for happiness, even amidst the busyness of setting new year goals?

Damini: Reclaiming agency over happiness begins with recognizing that one's worth is not tied to productivity or achievements. We are worthy of love, kindness, respect, and dignity because we exist. That's it. While society may tell us that we have to fulfill certain criteria or be a certain way, it's dysfunctional and unhealthy because our achievements don't make us worthy. When we realize that we have inherent worth and value, we end up creating those achievements! Without this basic belief in your own self, you will only be chasing people and milestones regardless of whether you feel aligned with them or not.

The book encourages readers to pause, reflect, and realign their goals with their authentic desires. Simple practices like gratitude journaling, prioritizing rest, and saying no to unnecessary commitments help carve out space for happiness amidst the busyness of life. But, most importantly, it tells them to accept, embrace cultivate a sense of self-belief in themselves because that is the fuel that will keep you going in the right direction.

Frontlist: Happiness often feels like a fleeting emotion for many. What practices from your book can readers incorporate into their daily routines in the New Year to nurture consistent joy and self-compassion?

Damini: Some essential practices like being mindful of your self-talk, befriending your inner critic, embracing emotions, practicing gratitude, cultivating joy, and being compassionate to yourself are essential mindset shifts that enable us to be more grounded in the present because happiness, indeed is a state of mind and when we're grounded, it doesn't seem like a fleeting emotion. It teaches you to break away from the thinking that says, 'I'll be happy when I achieve something, hit a milestone, or be a certain way!" The truth is that when you come from a place of love, understanding, nurturance, and respect for yourself, you automatically create the life you want without burning yourself in the process.

Frontlist: Beyond your work as a psychologist, you're also a writer and dance enthusiast. How have these creative pursuits influenced your perspective on self-love and well-being, as reflected in your book?

Damini: Writing, singing, and dancing have taught me to connect deeply with my emotions and express them authentically. They have played an essential role in strengthening my belief in myself and enabled me to tide over some tough times in my life. These creative outlets remind me of the importance of embracing the ebb and flow of life. In Time to Come Home, this perspective is woven into the narrative, encouraging readers to find their own creative expressions to reconnect with themselves and cultivate joy.

We often overlook or underestimate the power of creativity in fostering a healthy sense of self. But it is in these pursuits that you truly connect with yourself.

Frontlist: As someone who has guided so many on their paths to emotional well-being, what is your key message for readers entering 2025 and seeking balance, growth, and fulfillment?

Damini: As we step into 2025, my message is simple: honor your journey. Growth is not about perfection but about progress. Make space for self-reflection, embrace your imperfections, and celebrate small victories. Balance comes from knowing when to push forward and when to pause. By focusing on your inner world, you create a ripple effect of growth, fulfillment, and joy that enriches every aspect of your life.