Today we’d like to introduce you to Sushmitha Gururaj
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was pursuing my PhD in neuroscience when I first started blogging, channeling my long-time dream of being a writer into a personal passion project. Instagram had just entered the culture at the time and I decided to cross-promote my blog on there, not knowing how quickly it would take on a life of its own! Cut to now ten years later, and I’ve been lucky to create on Instagram not just a platform for self-expression, but also a community of value-aligned millennials and a small business that partners with so many exciting brands. I primarily talk about slow fashion and sustainable living, so come join the conversation if you care about those topics too!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely has not been smooth sailing all the way. My initial years as a content creator lacked any balance, as I was juggling an intense schedule as a PhD student and then a postdoc working long hours. It’s only recently that I’ve cut back on the hustle and begun focusing on quality > quantity. I also have had to work on common struggles accompanying having a digital presence, such as avoiding comparison and the numbers games, learning to switch off and drawing boundaries for a healthy offline life. Finally, being selective about brand work has meant that my brand doesn’t make as much money as maybe it could otherwise. But to me, its worth it to stay true to my values and advocate for underconsumption by leading by example.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a sustainability content creator with a focus on slow fashion and imperfectly sustainable lifestyles. I’m most proud that I’ve built an engaged and kind community of readers on my Instagram, who like me shop secondhand/ethical, travel responsibly and maintain low-waste homes. I’m different from most content creators as 90% of my content is ad-free and organic, with the remaining 10% being selective work with value-aligned brands.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
My biggest tip re: mentorship is to not take advice from anyone that isn’t living the life that you want. I often find chatting with peers who are going through the same struggles as me more helpful than anything else, so find mentors within your community of peers and friends!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.missminussized.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sushmitha_gururaj
