“Confidence isn’t something you’re born with—it’s something you slowly build,” teen author Kavya Thakrar proclaims when asked what she learned while writing her first book, Bows & Ties.
“I started Bows & Ties during COVID, when my self-confidence was at its lowest. Everything felt uncertain, and I didn’t really know who I was becoming or where I fit,” she shares with BrownStyle Magazine about the book that features a modern collection of interviews and reflections from 19 women influential women, including Anne Richards, Lisa Chun, Neha Asar, Ami Desai, and Divya Mathur.
In hopes of helping readers, especially young people, feel less pressure to have life figured out, Thakrar went to work having conversations with women who shared the life lessons they’ve learned over the years. “I wanted readers to feel reassured that they’re not behind, broken, or doing life wrong,” she explains, noting that the conversations in her book taught her that confidence isn’t fearlessness. It’s about moving forward despite uncertainty.
For the highschooler, writing the book became a creative outlet that inspired deep reflections and personal growth. “I wasn’t looking for polished stories,” the young author shares. “I was looking for depth and voices willing to talk about growth, doubt, and change. The project taught me that my voice matters now, not later.”
Turning To Self-Care For Growth
At BrownStyle, we often talk about creating a Soulful Soft Life that brings you joy. Thakrar’s version feels refreshingly grounded. “Living a soft life means not rushing myself, being okay with quiet seasons, and not feeling like I constantly need to prove something,” she reveals.
Her self-care practices are simple yet meaningful for a young woman growing into her own: journaling without pressure, unplugging from social media, listening to music, and allowing herself to rest without guilt.
Her advice to aspiring storytellers? “Start messy. Start unsure,” she encourages.
It is so refreshing to know that storytelling continues to move forward with the next generation. Shop Bows & Ties on Amazon!
