Episode 60: The Clarity That Comes From Stopping With Farzana Deen

The SIXCOMMS Podcast

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Welcome to a special series ‘Conversations That Count’ featuring Singapore-based
professionals. This sunny island has been my home since 2009, so I’m excited to
shine a spotlight on the inspiring residents I share this sunny island with!
About our guest:
Farzana is the founder and director of The Desi Groove. Her entire life changed
when she was diagnosed with the chronic condition Lupus. After this diagnosis,
Farzana’s perspective, attitude and the way she communicates with herself and
others changed significantly. It made her reprioritize her life goals, relationships and
health.
The one constant throughout all of this has been her love for dance. She knew that
getting back into dancing wouldn’t be the same at least initially. Truly trusting the
process and being patient and gentle with herself was the biggest lesson.
It has now become her mission, through dance, to inspire people to trust the process regardless of the level they are at. Farzana hopes to reach out to more Lupus warriors out there who are suffering in silence and spread the message that slowing down and taking a pause can be the best thing you can do!
Here are just a couple of takeaways from our conversation:
Practice Compassion in Communication: Compassion is key in effective
communication. Farzana highlights the significance of creating a safe and non-
judgmental space for conversations. By being empathetic and compassionate
listeners, we can make others feel heard and valued, fostering deeper connections
and understanding in our interactions.

Prioritize Self-Care and Boundaries: Farzana's experience underscores the
importance of setting boundaries and saying no to things that do not serve you. Self-care should always come first, and it's essential to understand that you cannot have it all at the same time. By prioritizing your health and well-being, you can maintain a more sustainable balance in your life.
Timestamps:
[00:03:45] Farzana's Health Journey and Diagnosis
[00:07:37] Impact on Family and Personal Life
[00:08:35] Gains from Forced Downtime
[00:12:14] Psychological Effects and Self-Esteem
[00:16:50] Changes in Communication and Empathy
[00:22:14] Prioritizing Health and Energy Management
[00:26:56] Three Tips for Slowing Down
[00:33:40] Compassion in Conversations
[00:34:43] Farzana's Mission and Final Thoughts
Connect with Farzana:

• Instagram: @thedesigroove
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/farzana-deen-105435228/

Connect with Lisa:

• Website: https://www.sixcomms.org/
• Email: [e-mail]
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisasing/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sixcomms_podcast/

Intro VO: Edric Poon
Podcast: Edric Poon In Company (EP.IC podcast)
IG: @Epicpodcasting
LinkedIn: edricpoon
Website: https://kaleoscopic.com/

https://www.sixcomms.org/