Rebuilding Self-worth and Appreciation for Art & Literature

Brewing Knowledge Friday

Discuss self-worth, healing, and the author’s new book, Never Been Single, by Priyannsha.

Key Takeaways

• Self-worth is foundational: It dictates action. High self-worth (100%) enables goal pursuit, whereas low self-worth leads to hesitation and inaction.

• Define personal success: Reject external metrics (e.g., career, marriage) to build self-worth independent of social validation.

• Use creativity for healing: Find a personal healing medium (e.g., writing, art, running) to process emotions and build joy.

• Literature enables change: Books allow readers to process new ideas at their own pace, unlike direct conversation, which can trigger immediate, defensive reactions.

Topics

The Book: Never Been Single

• Origin: Written by a 10–12-year relationship coach to scale self-worth healing beyond one-on-one sessions.

• Core Idea: A strong relationship with oneself creates a “domino effect” of positive change across all life areas.

• Title Rationale: The title is a metaphor for emotional independence, not a literal call for solitude.

  • Concept: “It’s easy to be miserable with someone; it’s difficult to be miserable alone.”

  • Goal: Encourage introspection by removing the “cover” of a relationship that can mask personal issues.

Self-Worth & Life Outcomes

• Impact of Low Self-Worth: Negative experiences (e.g., career failure) trigger inner comparison, which hinders goal pursuit.

• Success & Failure: Self-worth must be defined internally, not by societal standards.

  • Example: Success could be a flexible schedule (e.g., 10 AM gym) or service work (NGO), not just high corporate pay.

• Social Media & Validation: Social media triggers pre-existing inner comparison, not creates it.

  • Defence: A strong sense of identity, tied to life purpose, provides detachment from external validation.

Healing & Creativity

• Finding a Healing Medium: Healing is personal; the method must fit the individual.

  • Examples: Writing, art, or active pursuits like running.

• Literature as a Tool: Books are a powerful healing tool.

  • Example: Anne Frank’s diary as a survival mechanism.

  • Author’s Experience: Priyannsha created a YouTube series on “books that changed my life.”

Writing Process & Vulnerability

• Challenge: Writing Never Been Single required extreme vulnerability.

  • Example: Admitting a past need for external validation from a partner.

• Philosophy: Impactful writing requires honesty and rawness, not writing for likability.

  • Rationale: Fear of perception compromises the message’s power.

Q&A: Rebuilding Self-Worth

• Question (Harshita Dalawat): How to rebuild self-worth after a catastrophic event?

• Answer (Priyannsha):

1. Be kind to yourself: Healing takes time.

2. Engage in self-loving activities: Focus on personal well-being.

3. Read the book: It’s designed to be equivalent to “five solid healing sessions.”

FATHOM-AI-generated content, read with care.

Thinking In Paragraphs

Thinking like the Buddha! (Photo courtesy Sandeep Dutt)

We live in fragments. Notifications arrive in bursts. Opinions form quickly and dissolve even faster. Our thoughts are trained to exist in sharp, declarative sentences — efficient, immediate, complete.

But books ask us to think in paragraphs. To think in paragraphs is to resist immediacy. It is to allow an idea to unfold rather than announce itself. A paragraph does not rush toward its conclusion; it builds. It contextualises. It revises itself midway. It holds contradiction and nuance in the same space. It moves with intention.

I have begun to realise that reading is less about finishing and more about staying. A paragraph demands patience; it asks me to remember the sentence that came before and anticipate the one that follows. It refuses to be reduced to a single reaction. It insists on coherence. Sometimes I reread a line not because I failed to understand it, but because I felt it rearrange something quietly within me.

Reading trains the mind to stay with complexity long enough for it to clarify itself. And in doing so, it reshapes how we understand the world.

To think in paragraphs is to become less reactive and more reflective. It is to approach disagreement with context rather than volume. It is to recognise that most truths are layered, not linear. The discipline of moving carefully from one idea to the next begins to seep into how we form judgements, how we speak, and even how we listen.

In a culture that rewards brevity, thinking in paragraphs is an act of depth. And depth, more than speed, is what endures.

- Sneha
The English Book Depot

Searching & Browsing for Books

I’ve realised that searching and browsing might look similar on the outside, but they feel completely different from the inside. 

When I search for a book, I already know what I want. Maybe I’m in the mood for classic literature because I want something timeless and layered, or maybe I specifically want contemporary fiction because I need something immersive and easy to get lost in. I walk into the bookstore with that category in mind. I head straight to the section. I scan the shelves with focus. I find what fits my plan.

Searching feels efficient. Controlled. Intentional.

It’s like I’m executing a decision I already made before I even stepped inside.

Browsing is softer. Slower. Almost accidental.

When I browse, I don’t limit myself to classic literature or fiction. I wander. I pause at shelves I didn’t expect to care about. I pick up a book because the cover design feels intimate. I read a random paragraph and decide based on a feeling rather than a plan.

Browsing allows room for curiosity. There’s no checklist, no urgency to “get what I came for.” Sometimes I walk in thinking I want something serious and literary, and I leave holding something completely different. Not because I changed my mind — but because something unexpected caught my attention.

That’s the real difference.

Searching is about certainty. Browsing is about discovery.

When I search, I’m reinforcing what I already know about my taste. When I browse, I’m expanding it. Searching reflects my preferences. Browsing challenges them.

In a world that constantly pushes us to be efficient and decisive, browsing feels almost rebellious. It’s an act of patience. It’s allowing the shelves to speak before I do.

And honestly, the books that stay with me the longest are often the ones I never meant to find.

Between searching and browsing - Woodstock School Book Exhibition.

Sneha

-The English Book Depot

Paper over Pixels

Ebooks are convenient.

They’re cheaper, lighter, and available in seconds.

Still… they’re just not for me.

I don’t want to read a story on the same device where I check messages, scroll, and get distracted every five minutes. My brain already associates screens with noise and hurry. Reading, for me, is supposed to feel slower than the rest of life. I don’t want to tap or swipe to move through a story. I want to turn a page. There’s something about holding a physical book that makes the experience feel real. The weight of it is in my bag. The quiet sound of pages shifting. The way it doesn’t glow or buzz, just waits for me to open it. And nothing, nothing, beats the smell of a new book.

That soft, inky, papery smell when you open it for the first time. It’s the smell of a story that hasn’t been touched yet. An ebook can give me the words, but it can’t give me that feeling. I also love seeing how far I’ve come just by looking at the pages. The stack of read pages growing thicker on the left, the unread ones getting thinner on the right — it’s such a small thing, but it feels so satisfying. I can see my progress. I can feel the journey in my hands. A percentage bar on a screen just doesn’t hit the same way.

Ebooks store stories, but physical books store memories.

I remember where I was when I read certain books because I can see the exact copy sitting on my shelf. Some have folded corners. Some have lines I underlined when a sentence meant too much. Some still have random receipts or bits of paper tucked inside like little time capsules.

A physical book doesn’t run out of battery. It doesn’t pull me away from the moment. It lets me disconnect from everything else and be fully inside one world at a time.

Reading, to me, isn’t just about finishing a story. It’s about slowing down, being present, and letting a story stay with me even after I close it. Paper makes that possible in a way screens never have.

So no, I don’t do ebooks.

I do smell the new pages.

I do the growing stack of pages on the left.

I do bookmarks, dog-eared corners, and stories I can hold in my hands.

I think you can tell by now…if there are sticky notes and tabs, it means the book understood you — and parts of life you could never quite put into words.

Sneha 

-The English Book Depot

A Reader's Pace

I don't usually read one book at a time.

There's almost always a small pile beside me—some books open, some half-read, some simply waiting. 

Somewhere along the way, we started believing that reading only counts if a book is finished. As if the last page is proof that the experience mattered. As if anything unfinished is incomplete. But most readers know—that's rarely how it actually works.

During one of our Brewing Knowledge Sessions at EBD, during a meet-and-greet with Ratna Manucha, this very idea surfaced naturally. We spoke about how reading doesn't have to mean committing to one book at a time. Reading can be layered. It can involve many books at once, each serving a different purpose.

Many of us read multiple books at once. One for comfort. One for curiosity. One, we keep telling ourselves we'll finish soon. Some days, we reread the same few pages because they feel familiar, and almost like returning to a thought we don't want to let go of. Other days, we feel stuck in a book because we aren't in the right headspace for it. And sometimes, a completely new book catches our attention. We pick it up, read a few pages, just enough to understand its voice, and then quietly place it back, or they're meant to be carried. Nestled in your bag, against a notebook or water bottle, like a quiet companion with no demands.

Leaving books half-read isn't a failure. Neither is switching between them, nor pausing midway. Reading isn't a race, and it certainly isn't a checklist.

Reading is slow and time-consuming.

But even then—even like this—it counts.

Sneha 

- Intern at The English Book Depot

In Waiting For Faces

At The English Book Depot, the shelf-mates spend most of their day waiting. I call them shelf-mates because they have been here for years—long enough to know the shelves by memory, recognise which books sell without being asked, and sense whether someone walking in is a serious reader or just passing time. Their familiarity with the store is not written anywhere, but it shows in how quickly they locate books and answer questions.

Despite their experience, they often tell me that most of their day passes slowly. The bookstore remains quiet for long stretches when no one walks in, and nothing changes except the clock. Sometimes boredom settles in not because they dislike their work, but because there is little to do without customers. What keeps them engaged is people. When a customer arrives, their posture changes. They enjoy recommending books, explaining editions, or sharing what they know about an author. When asked about the store’s history or the owner, they speak with the confidence of those who have watched it grow over time. These interactions matter more than the sale itself, and that is what The English Book Depot is really about.

In many ways, the shelf-mates are observers. They notice patterns—the regulars, the students, the occasional tourists. Entertainment comes not from anything in the store, but from human presence. Through years of routine, they continue to show up, sit between the shelves, and wait for conversation. That waiting, repeated day after day, quietly defines their experience of the bookstore.

Sneha 

- Intern at The English Book Depot 

Why are we here?

Hello everyone,

I am sharing some thoughts from our recent meeting on Monday, the 22nd December 2025. It was a productive meeting, and we all shared valuable insights.

Key Takeaways

• Attendance is low across programs. The Masterclass has only 3–4 attendees, and the Friday reading session is also poorly attended.
• The "Brewing Knowledge" format is under debate. The current model of reading long chapters weekly is seen as tedious and difficult to follow, while the alternative of pre-reading and discussion risks low engagement.
• Sandeep Dutt reframed the mission. The goal is to cultivate a few "changemakers" per school, not to maximise attendance. 
• The model is "Reading, Reflection, Relationship," and the focus must remain on reading.
• Sunday School will pivot to reading. Following the conclusion of the 24-episode Amardeep series, the program will now focus on encouraging reading through student reviews and presentations.

The conversations we had will be instrumental in helping the hosts, producers, and thinkers deliver even better work.

Here are a few things I wanted to highlight:

1. Reading - this is a delicate topic, but we must not overlook it. While we value conversations, our primary focus is on reviewing and discussing the societal issue we are attempting to address.

2. Reflection post-reading is crucial - as time is limited, we expect participants to read and provide reflections upon the meeting.

3. Relationships are an integral part of our lives, and this forum exemplifies meaningful relationships.

Our primary objective is brewing knowledge - translate the real-world experience of the Book Cafe at The English Book Depot to a virtual one, which is why we have been engaged in this endeavour for so long. Our initiatives include the My Good School, The Teachers Academy, and the My Good School Retreat forums for the 3Rs, and the impact is the 6Cs.

I want to express my gratitude to everyone who attended the meeting and acknowledge those who did not. Your support is greatly appreciated, and we look forward to seeing you all at our next event.

Regarding the book and Friday's events, we will be working on them. Initially, we will complete the current book, then engage the audience with a different type of reading material. Friday was initially intended for school teachers, but it has now been expanded to include the broader audience at EBD and beyond.

Next Steps

• Manisha: Work with school reps to boost program attendance.
• Neelashi: Fix the "Brewing Knowledge" link in the newsletter.
• Sunday School Team: Develop a plan for the reading-focused program, including student engagement and book selection.
• All Participants: Prepare questions for the Ratna Munucha event on Dec 26.

Thank you to everyone who attended, and to those who did not participate in but intend to.

In conclusion, leaders must remain steadfast and relentless in pursuing their goals. This unwavering commitment has been instrumental in our success.

Warm regards,

Sandeep Dutt
www.sdutt.com

Humans, actually!

Being here at EBD Bookstore has taught me so much. One of the most important things I’ve learned is that people don’t just come here to buy books.

They come to be heard.

Every day, people walk in with searching eyes, carrying a quiet mix of emotions—happiness, sadness, confusion, hope or may be all at once. And somehow, between the shelves and the familiar smell of paper, they allow it to spill.

Just yesterday, an aunty came in asking for book recommendations for her daughter—someone my age. At first, it felt casual. She flipped through covers, asking questions lightly. But soon, the conversation slowed. She wasn’t in a hurry. She lingered.

She told me her daughter loves reading but has been feeling a little lost lately. She wanted books that could feel like company. And as I suggested titles, I realised something: she wasn’t only looking for recommendations.

She really wanted to talk.

So we did. We talked about books, yes—but also about growing up, about how confusing this age can be, about how parents sometimes struggle to reach their children. She listened quietly, nodded often, smiled softly. For a moment, the bookstore stopped being a shop. It became a pause.

When she left, she thanked me—not just for the books, but for the conversation.

That’s when it truly struck me: bookstores are not just about transactions. They are about relationships—small, gentle ones. The kind where strangers trust you with pieces of their lives simply because you’re standing between stories.

I think that’s the most beautiful part of this place.

Here, books begin conversations that stay between the shelves.

-Sneha 

Intern at The English book Depot