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Hello! Who are you?
My name is Sravya, and I primarily live in London, though I often shuttle between Hong Kong and India for work and family commitments. I run a multidisciplinary design studio called Hello Colour. I’m an award-winning illustrator, art director, and entrepreneur who specializes in creating socially impactful art through brand strategy, design, and illustration.
My work often touches on mental health, well-being, and cultural representation, particularly within South Asian communities.
I married my partner exactly a year ago, and we have an 8-year-old Italian Greyhound-Chihuahua mix who we love very much!
I’m deeply passionate about mental health advocacy and amplifying the voices of South Asian creatives through a podcast I’ve been working on recently called Desi In Design. In my free time, I love spending moments in nature, often going on awe walks to recharge and gain inspiration.
As for happiness, I view it as an ongoing journey of growth and self-discovery. It’s about being fully present in each moment. Meditation has become a key part of my life, helping me stay grounded and find joy in the here and now. I’m fortunate to do what I love, and most of the time, I feel content.
However, my anxiety, particularly in social situations, can sometimes make it really difficult and can be quite debilitating. I try to cultivate happiness through mindfulness, self-awareness, and building strong, meaningful relationships to better myself and reduce my anxiety.
What is your struggle and when did it start?
My primary struggle has been with social anxiety, which worsened during the pandemic as I could just choose to avoid overcoming my fear. Even though I’ve always been somewhat prone to anxiety in new social situations, it wasn’t until I faced the challenge of establishing myself in a new city, after the pandemic, that it became really overwhelming.
Social events that seemed easy for others became a huge mental hurdle for me, and I would experience physical symptoms like nausea and even panic attacks.
This anxiety gradually became more severe over time and eventually social interactions felt foreign and intimidating. Having avoided most social settings for so long, I found it much harder to readjust and felt constantly on edge in group situations. My anxiety would peak at the prospect of networking events or gatherings for work, and I often ended up canceling or leaving early to avoid feeling trapped.
It’s a struggle that I’ve had to work through daily, and it still impacts me, but I’m managing it better with good support and healthy coping strategies.
How did this struggle make you feel at your worst moments?
At its worst, my social anxiety would trigger panic attacks and even make me physically ill—I’ve thrown up before or after social events more times than I’d like to admit. On the surface, it wasn’t obvious because I come across as naturally extroverted, and people assume I’m comfortable since I have a public presence on social media.
I’ve always been good at putting on a brave face, especially at work-related events, so most people had no idea I was struggling. But inside, the anxiety would build up, and I often felt so overwhelmed that I had to leave early or run out after only a short time.
Eventually, my anxiety reached a point where I’d either cancel last minute or break down in tears before even getting to the event. It turned into this frustrating cycle of fear and avoidance. In the beginning, I tried really hard to hide it, pushing myself to stay longer and feeling guilty for wanting to leave or skip out.
But over time, I realized it was much easier to just be upfront about it. I started casually mentioning my anxiety, almost like a disclaimer, so people wouldn’t expect too much from me in social settings. Being open has made it easier to manage expectations and lifted the pressure to hide my struggle. Plus, I’ve found that others often feel the same way, which has made me feel more supported and less alone.
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Was there a moment when you started to turn things around?
I realised that avoiding social situations was holding my career back. As a freelancer, networking is crucial, and by not facing my fear, I was limiting my own opportunities.
Opening up about my anxiety also made a big difference, and it turned out that others at these events often felt the same way, which made my anxiety feel less isolating.
The shift was largely a result of my own actions, probably about 80%, with the remaining 20% coming from the supportive circumstances around me, like connecting with others who understood. To manage it, I became more intentional about the events I chose. I paid attention to where I felt most at ease, like art-related or activity-led gatherings, where I could be creative.
Focusing on these types of events allowed me to connect with people who shared similar interests, which felt less overwhelming.
What steps did you take to overcome your struggle?
One of the biggest steps I took was incorporating mindfulness practices into my daily life. What really helped me was setting aside time each morning for meditation and art journaling, where I could check in with myself and acknowledge any stress before starting the day. This practice has been like a reset button, helping me build resilience for moments when my anxiety flares up.
Another step was learning to be selective about my social engagements. Instead of pushing myself to attend every event, I’d prioritise smaller, low-stress gatherings that were aligned with my interests. This shift allowed me to maintain my social life and my career in a way that didn’t feel overwhelming.
Finally, building a support network of fellow creatives through my podcast Desi In Design, has helped immensely. Having a community that understands the pressures of my field has made me feel less alone, and I’ve realized there’s power in sharing our struggles.
To anyone in a similar situation, I’d recommend finding a balance between self-care and community support. You don’t have to face anxiety alone, and even small adjustments can make a big difference.
Have you shared any of this with people around you in real life?
Yes, though it took me some time to get comfortable sharing my struggles with social anxiety. At first, I only talked about it with close friends who I knew would understand.
Eventually, I realised that being open about it in my professional life was also important, especially since I work in a field that values connection and creativity. Telling my colleagues and clients allowed me to set boundaries and work in ways that feel more manageable.
However, there are still people I find it hard to open up to, especially in formal settings. I worry that some might see it as a weakness, and I’m still learning to let go of that fear. But overall, sharing my experiences has been a positive step, and it’s been freeing to know that I don’t have to pretend everything is okay all the time.
If you could give a single piece of advice to someone else that struggles, what would that be?
Connect with others through a shared interest. Finding that common ground can make interactions feel natural and less intimidating, allowing for deeper and more meaningful connections. When you realize you have things in common, it becomes easier to open up, and your shared passion becomes a foundation for genuine relationships.
What have been the most influential books, podcasts, YouTube channels, or other resources for you?
One of the most impactful resources for me has been attending local events in my neighborhood.
Engaging with these in-person gatherings has helped me connect with the physical space I’m in, fostering a sense of grounding that online interactions can’t always provide.
Being present in these environments allows me to connect more meaningfully with the people around me, building a sense of community and presence. This shift from online to in-person engagement has made a positive difference in my mental well-being.
Where can we go to learn more about you?
You can find me on my websites artbysravya.com and desiindesign.com, or on Instagram @sravyaa and @DesiInDesign.
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