"I Was Surviving Quietly": Creator Esha Shetty on Choosing Herself and Healing Through Storytelling

Social media is full of filtered selfies and AI faces, but creator Esha Shetty is doing something far more powerful: just being real. From quietly surviving years of self-doubt to openly sharing her healing journey online, she has built a community rooted in honest conversations. In this candid chat, she opens up about choosing herself, redefining confidence, and why storytelling remains her strongest form of connection.

How are you doing today, mentally and emotionally, especially after opening up about your story publicly?

Honestly, I feel lighter. The love I received reminded me that healing becomes louder when it's shared. I also feel a sense of responsibility now to show possible paths to people who've gone through the same, because there are far more of them than I ever imagined.

People see you as confident today. What does your life look like now compared to a few years ago?

A few years ago, I was surviving quietly. I was the girl who didn't occupy space in a room, underconfident, overlooked, and unheard. But even then, I was silently grinding, building myself brick by brick.

What was the turning point when you realised you deserved a better life?

I always carried in my head the idea that I was meant for bigger things. The real turning point came when someone very close to me disappointed me deeply; that's when I knew it was time to put my foot down and finally stand up for myself.

In India, we're taught that parents are always right and elders must always be respected. Did you ever feel guilty choosing yourself, and how did you overcome that guilt?

Guilt usually comes when you believe you've done something wrong. I always knew I wasn't wrong, but it took years of unlearning to accept that elders can be wrong too. Choosing myself was an act of survival, not rebellion.

What are some boundaries you set that truly changed your life?

I stopped over-explaining, stopped accepting disrespect in the name of love, and started saying no without guilt, something I'm still learning every day.

For someone going through something similar right now, what's the first step they can take?

Start by trusting your feelings. If something feels heavy, it probably is. Listen to that inner voice before others convince you that this is just “how life is.”

What's been the biggest learning in your creator journey so far?

Authenticity always outlives trends. When I showed up as myself, the right audience found me, and that will always be the truth of content creation.

What does your content creation process look like? How do you plan, shoot, and stay consistent?

I create from real life my emotions, routines, and lessons. I plan most of my shoots in advance, but nearly 30% of my content is completely on the spot. Consistency comes naturally because I know there are people waiting for my video every single day.

What kind of content feels the most “you” - fashion, beauty, lifestyle, or storytelling, and why?

Storytelling. Fashion and beauty are extensions, but stories are where I truly connect and heal with my audience.

How do you see this new wave of content creators today?

It feels more honest and brave. Creators are no longer pretending to be perfect; they're choosing to be real, and I genuinely love that shift.

What's the biggest misconception people have when they see confident creators online?

That confidence means you've never struggled. Most of us built our confidence because we struggled.

What's next for you? Any new series, goals, or dream projects you want to build?

My most loved series, #HerSideOfTheStory Season 2, is launching this February, and I'm extremely excited about it. I want to keep building safe spaces for real stories through long-form storytelling, and I also have an upcoming international brand trip that I'm really looking forward to.