Sakura, Sikhi & Strength
Welcome to Sakura, Sikhi & Strength - a podcast about finding strength in the space between cultures and thriving through life's constant changes. I'm Asees Sethi Anand, your host, and as someone born in Japan, raised in Los Angeles, educated globally and now living in New York City, I understand what it means to navigate life between worlds. This podcast is for anyone building careers, starting families, caring for loved ones, and writing their own definition of success - all while honoring the beautiful complexity of multicultural identity. Whether you're a third-culture kid, second-generation immigrant, or simply someone who feels caught between cultures, this show is your space to feel seen, understood, and empowered. Join me for honest conversations about resilience, growth, and finding your strength in the spaces that make you uniquely you.
New episodes coming weekly. Subscribe now so you don't miss a single story.
Connect with me:
Instagram: @sakurasikhistrength
Email: hello@sakurasikhistrength.com
Sakura, Sikhi & Strength
Episode 11: Unlearning the Performance Trap - The Power of Giving Yourself Grace
When was the last time you gave yourself the same compassion you'd give your best friend? In this deeply personal episode, I explore the transformative power of unlearning the performance trap that keeps us believing our worth must be constantly proven and earned.
Through vulnerable stories about the moment a doctor told me I needed to "take a break" (and I genuinely didn't understand what he meant), I examine how perfectionism can masquerade as high standards while actually undermining our capacity for genuine self-care and sustainable achievement.
Key themes explored:
- The crucial difference between confidence and actually believing you're worthy
- Why overachievers often struggle with self-compassion despite outward success
- How "performing even during downtime" prevents us from receiving actual rest
- The hidden costs of tying your worth to your performance
- Why being "nice" to everyone can become a form of self-abandonment
- Practical ways to start treating yourself with the kindness you give others
- How giving yourself grace creates ripple effects in all your relationships
Essential insight: Grace is "unmerited favor" - kindness you don't have to earn. When you apply that to yourself, it breaks the performance trap that keeps you running on empty.
This episode is especially relevant for anyone who gives everyone else the benefit of the doubt but struggles to extend that same grace to themselves.
The bottom line: You don't have to earn your place in this world. You're already enough exactly as you are. And learning to give yourself the same compassion you show others isn't selfish - sometimes it's necessary.
Connect with Sakura, Sikhi & Strength 🌸☬️💪:
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Instagram: @sakurasikhistrength
Tiktok: @sakurasikhistrength
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sakurasikhistrength
Send your thoughts: hello@sakurasikhistrength.com
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