Jayshree, The 40 Over 40 Women’s Portrait Campaign

Jayshree, 44

I have been described by my friends and family as…

tenacious, steadfast, invested, and resilient

My best qualities are…

My strength and tenacity.

I am most proud of…

Wow! I am proud of so many parts of me and my life, but if I had to name just three..

I am proud and grateful for the family that my husband and I have built together.

I am proud of the human being I have become.

I am proud of myself for being brave enough to change my professional path after 20 years in education. Three years ago I started on my entrepreneurial journey that has given me the space to grow and develop into a confident individual that is now never afraid to value the value that I can share, but at the same time, create space for those that I connect with. So that in turn, they too can realize their own hidden potential and worth.

My favourite quotes…

“What if I fall?

Oh, but my darling, what if you fly?” Eric Hanson

“No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.” Regina Brett

“It’s time to get comfortable with being uncomfortable…

Be still and know that I am God.”

What advice would I give my 20-year-old self…

What are you waiting for? These 5 simple words may have made a massive difference:

I like to think that it may have helped me to break out of the box that I had confined myself to existing in.

But I guess the real question is would I have been ready to listen? You see, I believe that it is our life experiences and the constant inner mind work that is needed for us to do things differently, and at 20, I would not have been ready to face the real me.

We all experience many lifetimes in this one life. What did you find were the most poignant changes as you entered your 40s?

You know you read so much about people that do not like the pandemic and the consequences thereof – I guess I am one of those people as well, but at the same time it has been some of the best years of my life.

It was a time when I was forced to listen more, to be present more, and just appreciate the now,

the simple things in life.

It gave me the time to re-connect with my children and husband, for us to create an even stronger bond without worldly distractions. We just got to be!

I got to realize the importance of communication, a hug, a conversation, and a smile. I learned how not to take myself too seriously as tomorrow is never promised and you have to make the most of what you have today.

Me,  44 going on to 45 years – I have experienced some of my most trying times, and yet I am still here, happy with my life, happy with myself.

Finally, I have realized that the joy that I was missing all these years, can only come from me and from within, – so I have found my joy and myself in the process.

Thoughts on aging…

For me, aging has always just been a number – on a daily basis – I forget my actual age and need to calculate it quickly if someone asks! Aging gives you the freedom to be yourself and to be unapologetically you.

I may be 44 years old. I know that people often think that you should have your ducks in a row by now, but also know that I am nowhere near achieving the goals that I have set for myself. The possibilities are endless.

I have achieved a great deal, and still have so many dreams and aspirations that I want to achieve.

So all I can say is, ‘watch this space!’

A story I’d like to share…

It’s only when I was able to share my story and not cry that I knew I have healed from whatever held me back –

this is something that I have learned recently.

I have spent an immense amount of time understanding my story because it’s through understanding my story

that I am able to understand myself and my ‘why’.

As I age, as I live through a pandemic, I am constantly questioning – what is my purpose, and have I achieved it –

have I made a difference?

I have found that the way we are, the way we relate to things, and the way we exist or live is based on our life experiences, but it is important to understand that our life experiences do not make us;  it’s what we do with our experiences and how we rise above any adversity or obstacle that comes our way that makes us find the ever-looming answer to the question of ‘what is our purpose?’

So one day, I will share my story with the world, I will write my life story (and trust me, it will be a best seller!) but today all I can share are the lessons that I have learned while unpacking my story.

Thanks to Donna Hay for hair and makeup! And a lovely day spend with Jayshree, a woman that is full of life experiences, and the most beautiful energy!

Lucky me that I get to meet and photograph such inspiring women!