A Class of Their Own From Pressure to Purpose: Paraag Amin's Journey to Living for Yourself!
We dive into the life of Paraag Amin, a high achiever who spent 40+ years trying to please and meet the expectations set by family, society and the education system. Join us as Paraag shares his story and the key moments that led him to fundamentally change the way he lives and approaches his life today.
Key Talking Points:
Living for Others: Paraag talks about how he lived his life trying to please everyone else, driven by the pressure to achieve more and be more. He reflects on how this constant push shaped his life and mindset.
Turning Point: The moment that changed everything for Paraag was his 40th birthday, which he spent in A&E. This made him question the real purpose of his life and what he truly wanted. His sister while on holiday was a reflection and the push he needed to own his own life.
He shares we shouldn’t be defined by our ethnicity, job, or achievements but by how we make others feel. This new perspective led him to focus on enjoying life and being true to himself instead of constantly trying to please others. That may mean that sometimes he shares his things that will upset others.
Internal Struggles: Paraag opens up about feeling inadequate and the internal conflicts he faced. He describes how these issues got worse during a tough period after his first child was born. She required being held upright and therefore they struggled with lack of sleep wasn't able to share his feelings.
During Covid he and his wife who were separated decided to co-habit for their daughter and also decided to try for a second child. Paraag and his soon to be ex-wife had to navigate the family and societies questions about trying to fix their marriage. He emphasises the importance of being honest about your feelings and taking responsibility for your own life.
Paraag talks about his method of managing energy with a colour-coded calendar, marking activities as either energy-giving (green) or energy-draining (red).
Six People in Every Conversation: He explains the idea of the six people in every conversation: you, your perception of what the other person is thinking, the other person, their perception of what you're thinking, and so on. Understanding this can help improve communication and relationships.
Advice for Listeners: Paraag encourages listeners to start taking responsibility for their own lives. He urges everyone to be honest with themselves and others about their feelings and to strive for authenticity in their lives.
Join us for this episode as Paraag Amin shares his journey of breaking free from societal expectations, finding his true self, and living a real and fulfilling life. This episode is a must-listen for anyone struggling with similar pressures and looking for a way to be genuinely happy and content.
Paraag #YouAreAClassOfYourOwn
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Host: Mira Magecha
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Creative Director: Alex Payne
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Editor: Josh Partridge
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Music: Jay Witsey
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Studio: Podcast House
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Episode bought to you by: play for change
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