Be Here Now: Shunayna Vaghela
As we arrive into the promise of a new year, we ask our tribe to slow down - to take a moment to reflect and to be here, now. As Gifted, we are highlighting the inspiring people within our community who have expressed love through all seasons of a challenging 2020. Despite all of its ups and downs, we shine a light onto the people who have helped to make a tough year brighter, kinder and filled with hope. Let’s take some time to slow down, to listen to their stories, and to continue to grow together as Gifted, by Nature.
Name: Shunayna Vaghela
Gifted: Illustrator / Writer / Mixed media creative
IG handle & Website: @shunayna_
Three words to describe how you’re feeling right now: Grateful, inspired, determined.
WHO ARE YOU AT THE BEGINNING OF 2021?
I am someone who is persistent more than anything, and it feels like 2020 has been testament to that! Last year was filled with many ups and downs for me personally, I had dabbled in illustration for a number of years, but finally decided to be vulnerable and put it out there, starting an Instagram for it, and creating a small online business. Since then, I’ve been very fortunate to connect with many different people that work in different mediums and medias to create a circle of champions, inspirations and friends.
IN A TIME OF INCREASING ISOLATION AND LONELINESS, WHAT HELPED YOU TO FEEL CONNECTED LAST YEAR?
I’ve stopped trying to compare myself with others, and instead started to reflect on the things I have achieved this year, and the things I would like to work towards. I don’t really believe in a ‘5 year’ plan, as I think your priorities and goals are always shifting and morphing as you grow, but I also believe that you need a few markers to steer you in the right direction, so I’ve been setting myself small markers to ground and direct me over the upcoming months.
I’ve also kept myself accountable; checking in with friends and setting dates for follow ups, as I know that when we say ‘we should do this’ without setting a time/place, it’s harder to keep to.
CAN YOU SHARE WITH US WHAT CREATIVE PROJECTS YOU WERE INSPIRED TO CREATE AND SHARE LAST YEAR?
I’ve always been very inspired by women, and women of colour especially, so I decided I would draw to bring the representation that I feel like I need into the cannon – that notion of ‘you can’t be what you can’t see’. That’s why I started my art page, and then it evolved to encompass other things I am passionate about. Over the summer I also began to create protest art in order to use my platform to put together valuable resources, as well as reminders for mental health. We are multi-faceted beings and I believe in representing all of that, breaking taboos in our communities and speaking up about injustices, feelings and moods that a lot of us experience.
I also started @thebadfilmclub with my friend, a podcast discussing ‘bad’ films, sometimes in celebration, and sometimes in disgust, as a way to talk about the way we watch films, representation, and also just films that we have all probably watched in lockdown that don’t have to be Oscar -nominated to be fun! This is one of my favourite subjects to talk about, and I think working on a light-hearted project is something that is often dismissed by creatives but doing something fun for yourself is always something worth doing!
DO YOU HAVE A LOCKDOWN LESSON?
At the beginning I think I tried to keep at the 150% pace I was working at, and over the lockdown, I have really learnt to put in place boundaries, and to respect those. I feel like, now we have more ‘free time’, there is a lot of expectation to be productive, and have things scheduled, but I am learning to put in place those boundaries, that allow me to take back my time, and redistribute it in a way that works for me, rather than others.
WHAT ARE YOUR LOCKDOWN BLESSINGS?
I’m so grateful for outside spaces, and the ability to spend time with friends and family just walking and talking. I appreciate the unexpected time to slow down and just enjoy the company of others, whether that be physically or just virtually.
I’m so hopeful about the future as I feel like the past year has shown why we need to collectively change a system that doesn’t work for us, and that honest, helpful discussions are happening and actually taking effect. I’m hopeful that this is a long-term movement.
AS WE WELCOME IN A NEW YEAR, CAN YOU SHARE WITH US SOME RECOMMENDATIONS TO COSY UP TO?
Listen: Podcasts: The Bad Film Club (a little self-plug haha), Off menu (for a good laugh) and LeVar Burton reads.
Music: I’ve been listening to Paloma Mami, H.E.R and Rendezvous At Two a lot recently, just chill vibes to relax to.
Watch: Portrait of a Lady on Fire, The Farewell, Mowgli.
Read: Burnt Sugar by Avni Doshi, how to pronounce knife by Souvankham Thammavongsa, We Are All Birds of Uganda by Hafsa Zayya and How Long ‘til Black Future Month by N.K. Jemisin.
WHAT WORLD ARE YOU MOVING TOWARDS?
… a world that is more inclusive, compassionate and considerate.
