Meet Shivani Kulkarni

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shivani Kulkarni.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Shivani. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I always sensed a purpose brewing in me, but I did not know how to give it an outlet or even define the purpose. All I knew is that I can look beyond the relationships & rules of life and voice unpopular but much-needed views to start conversations.
Until I started TheBirdWhoSwam my husband, mom & my two amazing SIL’s were my audiences for many uncomfortable conversations. During a conversation with my mom, I came up with the name TheBirdWhoSwam – as someone who is tired of swimming and not getting ahead but really is equipped with wings to fly!

Soar, I did! Since August 2019!

TheBirdWhoSwam is an Instagram account where I write 1/2min reads & some food & lifestyle content here & there. There you can find me glammed up or not, posed in angles or with body rolls — all of that – THE NORMAL! Conversations are mostly around the stigmas in our society—especially the South Asian culture, ranging from mental health, body shaming to more. I also love exploring human behavior and relationship dynamics – the ‘why’ behind what we do? The WHY helps in understanding the perspective on all sides.

I am born in India and moved to the USA at the formative age of 16 years old. Immigrant dual-life peppered with dating, marriage, divorce, re-marriage, parenting, and all the while dealing with the forever looming body shape insecurity is a full-time job. Apart from the paycheck career! When my son was born in 2015, I knew that he had to know me for the woman I am and not just as his mother.

Voice is scarce, especially a SouthAsian woman voice that speaks progressively with real-life examples and not just preachy. I would go as far as to say that SouthAsian vocal-voice for a progressive narrative is scarce. I am that voice through my account.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
My gosh! Ask anyone who has vocalized for a better tomorrow, and the answer will be resounding NO, its NOT been easy!

In the kind of work I do, relationship shifts PLUS a sense of loneliness would be the top challenges. It’s understandable, as well! It’s easier to relate with people who follow set societal rules. To connect & accompany someone who is challenging some rules can be a lot of work. Not everyone wants to or has to sign up for that.
Because societal norms are common denominators in how people connect with people — for the rule-challenger, it’s bound to be a bit lonely (chuckle!)

But over time, something magical happens – You build connections and communities. And you live your purpose. That is worth all the challenges.

We’d love to hear more about your work.
TheBirdWhoSwam is a thought leadership space. In that space if I endorse a product or service it will because I paid for it & used it.

The long-term vision is to go beyond the keyboard and on to stages where conversations happen in-person. Strategically I will seek collaborations with organizations that desire to drive these conversations in middle schools, communities, and more. We need a brown person who will speak the narrative for everyday progressive life!!! We need representation & I am that voice.

Above all, my personal passion for raising my son in an environment of such conversations. Young boys are the men of tomorrow. He has a fantastic role-model in my husband & a mother who not only vocalizes & practices what she vocalizes — also, a digital footprint is forever 🙂 So, I hope he reads it all.

What were you like growing up?
There is an English nursery rhyme titled ‘Where are you going, my pretty maid?’ in which a milk-maid and a man interact, and in the end, the man says to the milk-maid that he can’t marry her. She replies, ‘Nobody asked you.’ My mom tells me that milk-maid’s line was my favorite part, and I would stomp my feet and enact it out. So, there is that!

I was a kid who always preferred conversations & comics (life/satire comics) over anything. Friends surrounded me, and I loved it, but I always struggled to be that one best friend for someone and vice versa. I loved to connect with many.

Many of these things are still the same, even today!

I invite you to join me …. it will be my pleasure & honor.

Contact Info:

• Email: thebirdwhoswam@gmail.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/thebirdwhoswam
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/thebirdwhoswam

Image Credit:
riverwestphotography https://www.instagram.com/riverwestphotography/ for all except Jerrina Montgomery for Family birthday pic https://www.instagram.com/jerrinamontgomery/

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