PVLF 2025

Interview with Anamika Mishra, Author of “Shoo the Noises”

Anamika’s Shoo the Noises is a raw, heartfelt self-help debut blending mindset shifts, travel wisdom, and healing tools to silence inner chaos.
on Jul 28, 2025

Frontlist: Anamika, what was the personal turning point that inspired you to write Shoo the Noises, and how did your journey shape the book’s core message?

Anamika: You know how sometimes life just throws everything at you, one after the other and you’re just standing there like, “Wait, what is even happening?” That was me. Between losing both my parents within a span of 1.5 years, going through major personal shifts, and dealing with that constant pressure to “have it all figured out,” I hit this point where the noise in my head became unbearable. And by noise, I mean all the thoughts like self-doubt, fear, overthinking, guilt, people’s opinions, what-ifs, should-haves; it was exhausting. I realised I wasn’t living my life, I was just reacting to all this background noise in my mind.

That’s when I knew something had to change. I started consciously working on my healing, building a better mindset, and slowly shooing those noises away, one at a time. And the deeper I went into this journey, the more I felt like... wait, I can’t be the only one feeling this. That’s how Shoo the Noises was born, straight from that space of chaos turning into clarity. The book’s core message is simple but powerful: you are not your thoughts, and you have the power to turn the volume down on the noise and actually hear what truly matters to you.

Frontlist: As a certified life coach and travel influencer, how did you merge your real-life coaching insights and travel experiences into a cohesive self-help debut?

Anamika: Actually, even my previous fiction books always had a bit of a philosophical layer, but Shoo the Noises is my first proper self-help book and I’m so glad I finally wrote it. Honestly, I never sat down with a plan like, “Okay, let’s merge life coaching and travel into one neat package.” It just happened on its own, because that’s how I live and think. I’ve had some of my biggest a-ha moments while sitting alone on a cliff, watching the sunset, or chatting with strangers in tiny cafés tucked away in the hills. Travel has this beautiful way of shaking you up and grounding you; it makes you feel lost and found, all at once.

And as a life coach, I work with people navigating everything from breakups and burnout to identity crises and self-doubt. What I’ve noticed is, it doesn’t matter who you are or where you’re from, we all carry some emotional baggage. The stories from my travels added soul and color to these insights, and the coaching gave structure and meaning to those emotions. It just came together organically because that’s life, right? We’re all trying to chase dreams, hustle, figure things out... and in between, we find tiny windows of peace - a solo trip, a deep conversation, a random lesson from a stranger, or even a comforting movie night.

So, Shoo the Noises isn’t just a bunch of “do this, do that” tips. It’s layered with lived experiences, raw emotions, and realisations that come only when you’ve truly felt life - the chaos and the calm, both.

Frontlist: Your book talks about mastering mindset and emotional healing. Which of these practices helped you the most in your transformation, and why?

Anamika: If I had to pick just one, it would be journaling. I know it sounds super simple and maybe even a little old-school, but it completely changed the game for me. I’ve been writing in journals since I was a teen, but I only realised its real power when I started pouring out not just what was happening around me, but what was going on within me. It became my safe space - no filters, no pressure to make sense, just me and my thoughts, however messy they were. And through that mess, clarity started showing up. Along with that, affirmations played a huge role too (been doing those for over 15 years now!). There’s something incredibly powerful about choosing your words carefully every day because what you tell yourself repeatedly, you become.

So yeah, journaling and affirmations together helped me reconnect with myself, break old mental patterns, and slowly shift into a space of healing and hope.

Frontlist: Debut books often struggle for attention. What do you believe makes Shoo the Noises a debut that deserves more recognition and readership?

Anamika: Totally agree, debut books don’t always get the spotlight they deserve, and I knew that going in. Yes, I feel I have an added-benefit as my previous work of fiction novels have been loved by readers but surely Shoo the Noises is for a different set of readers which I feel is a new set of audience that I have to reach.

So what makes Shoo the Noises stand out is that it’s not trying to be perfect or preachy. It’s real. It’s written from a very honest space, I didn’t hold back on the messy parts of life or sugarcoat my struggles just to sound wise. It’s the kind of book that feels like a conversation with someone who gets it. Whether you’re feeling lost, stuck, overwhelmed, or just trying to figure out who you are, this book meets you there. And I think that’s what people need more of… not just advice, but relatable guidance. The kind that makes you feel seen. Also, it blends inspiration with practical tools like affirmations, exercises, mindset shifts, all tried and tested. So, it’s not just feel-good, it’s do-good too. I truly believe it’s the kind of book that can quietly sit on your shelf and still end up being a turning point when you need it most.

Frontlist: The title Shoo the Noises is unique. What ‘noises’ were the hardest for you to silence, and how do you guide readers to do the same?

Anamika: Thank you so much! The hardest noise for me to silence was that constant voice of self-doubt. The one that says, “What if you fail?” or “You’re not good enough” or “Why even try?” Ugh, that voice is loud, clingy, and loves showing up at odd hours like 2 AM.

And honestly, it never fully disappears; but now I know how to turn the volume down. That’s what I help readers do in the book. I guide them to first recognize their noise because if you can name it, you can face it. Then it’s about using the right tools to slowly stop letting that noise run the show. For more depth, well I would suggest you and the readers to read the book! ;)

Frontlist: Your platform, Responsible Yatri, promotes mindful travel. Did your philosophy of sustainable travel influence any part of the book’s approach to mindful living?

Anamika: Oh, definitely, and not just a little, but a LOT. In fact, there’s an entire chapter in the book dedicated to mindfulness because I genuinely believe that living mindfully is the first step toward healing and inner peace.

My travel platform, Responsible Yatri, is all about slowing down, travelling consciously, and truly being present and that exact philosophy naturally shaped how I approached the book. While writing, I found myself drawing so much from my travel experiences… like how sitting quietly by a river or watching people pray at a temple taught me more about awareness and stillness than any fancy course ever could. Travel has this subtle way of pulling you into the now, and that’s where all the clarity lives.

So yes, the same values I promote through Responsible Yatri, being intentional, respectful, and present, are deeply woven into the way I talk about mindful living in Shoo the Noises. Because whether you’re navigating a mountain trail or your own emotions, mindfulness changes everything.

Frontlist: The book includes affirmations, strategies, and real-life examples. How did you strike a balance between inspiration and practical guidance?

Anamika: That balance was super important to me while writing Shoo the Noises. I didn’t want it to be just another “you got this!” kind of book but at the same time, I didn’t want it to feel like homework or workbook either. So, I kept asking myself, “If someone’s reading this on a really tough day, will this help them feel seen? And also, will it give them something they can actually do right now? What would I expect this book to be, if I would have found this at my lowest chaotic moment in life”.

That’s how the mix came in. The affirmations are there to lift you up, to remind you of your power and obviously have scientific benefits as well that I have explained in the book. The strategies are bite-sized and doable and not overwhelming or complicated. And the real-life examples? They’re raw, honest, and straight from my own journal or stories I’ve witnessed while coaching or travelling. I think when you're trying to heal or shift your mindset, you need both - the heart and the how. So the book flows like that: a little inspiration to warm you up, and then a gentle nudge to take action.