Rashmi Tyagi has been a dear online friend, whom I finally had the pleasure of meeting in person this year to buy Himachali honey, and learn how to draw bears and penguins. The founder and creative director of multidisciplinary studio Mili&Co., Rashmi's work has been getting more and more stylised and well-defined, and she's recently been creating some gorgeous landscapes that pave the way for dreams.
In conversation with Rashmi about the year that was:
The nicest thing you did for someone in 2019?
In 2019, I learnt to trust myself again. I learnt to value my instincts. We've been wired to hear everyone else over our own voice, so it took a bit of unlearning to start hearing my own voice again. Earlier this year, I sat down and made a list of people who felt like home and made an effort to be actively involved in their life. I also let go of a lot of relationships that were purely obligatory to make space for those that really mattered to me. Drawing a line in the sand and saying no should be treated as social service, to be honest. I learnt to listen more this year and to not blatantly question the pain of others by trying to resolve it for the sake of my comfort. And I've shown up for myself a lot more this year, which I really think is the nicest thing I could have done for everyone around me. And oh, I also agreed to marry someone I've been in love with for a decade, so that's really a highlight.
The book that helped you the most in 2019?
My best friend gave me a copy of Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. I seriously studied it and it helped me connect with my creative genius on another level. I'm a massive Jonathan Safran Foer fan and spent a good chunk of time re-reading Eating Animals, a book that inspired me to give up eating animals, and a book I highly recommend for our generation. A well-suited read for the current climate crisis we're in.
The song you heard on loop this year?
Lights On by Maggie Rogers. Her music has been so soul-stirring for me. There’s no one like her, she’s just out there doing her thing. A singular expression of freedom and I find that so inspiring.
The film/TV show you fell head over heels in love with?
Marvellous Mrs Maisel, without a doubt.
Your biggest accomplishment this year?
Consistently showing up for therapy to work through the good and the bad. Walking through overwhelming feelings that I’ve learnt to manage better and to genuinely acknowledge and celebrate the big breakthroughs that happened this year.
Your big 2019 lesson/takeaway?
Boundaries are the fundamental constructs of wellbeing. It’s okay to respect the boundaries you’ve set for yourself. It’s okay to not be there for everyone and not justify all your actions all the time. It’s okay to live with just the agenda of wanting a juicy creative life and if no one finds out about your adventures, well that’s okay too. We underestimate how okay it is to just be okay because we’re conditioned to swing on this extreme pendulum of emotion. A big lesson this year was to know what I’m okay with and what I’m not and to stand up for myself in big ways.
Who are you creative crushin’ on lately?
I’m perpetually crushing on Kate Arends of the lifestyle blog wit and delight. Cannot get enough of her charm, style and authority of design.
A recent epiphany you've had?
We desperately need to slow down. And take notice again. feel again. move again. breathe again. And we need to stop being on autopilot. Whether it’s while eating food or watching movies, or talking to friends or just working. It’s becoming more and more evident that our life has somehow taken a backseat, has somehow become white noise. It’s running in the background like some TV series. I also think social media is a huge contributor to this kind of escape. We’re swiping through virtual lives where we don’t exist. We’re never here, always somewhere else, chasing a far fetched reality, when all that exists is now. Right now. We need to pull the present to where it belongs, to the forefront of every moment and really start being here now.
What’s your number one bucket list item for 2020?
To grow out my eyebrows and grow out of my wiring. To run enough to run a marathon. And maybe somehow manage to birth a picture book.
Rate 2019 on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being Totally Sucked
Personally, it’s been one of my greatest years. I’ve never felt so courageous and so in sync with myself before. I’d give it a good 9.7/10, hoping 2020 is a solid 20/10.
Thanks, Rashmi! :) Wishing you a positive 2020 where you are your best self!
Follow Rashmi's work on Instagram.