I stumbled across a poet who writes about women and how they should love themselves first. In case you don’t know of her, I wanted to share what I found out about her.
Nikita Gill has written and curated 8 volumes of poetry.
She uses social media to engage her audience. And she has 772,000 followers on Instagram, with quite a few celebrities added in.
Nikita Gill has been described as one of the most successful Instapoets around. As well as one of the most exciting young writers working today.
A Famous Instapoet:
“Tell your daughters how you love your body.
Tell them how they must love theirs.
Tell them to be proud of every bit of themselves—
from their tiger stripes to the soft flesh of their thighs,
whether there is a little of them or a lot,
whether freckles cover their face or not,
whether their curves are plentiful or slim,
whether their hair is thick, curly, straight, long or short.
Tell them how they inherited
their ancestors, souls in their smiles,
that their eyes carry countries
that breathed life into history,
that the swing of their hips
does not determine their destiny.
Tell them never to listen when bodies are critiqued.
Tell them every woman’s body is beautiful
because every woman’s soul is unique.”
Gill grew up in a house full of books and started writing when she was a child.
She was born in Belfast. Her Indian parents were living there temporarily. Nikita’s father, who was in the merchant navy, was taking his captain’s exams at Ulster University.
“My Mum, being a seafarer’s wife, didn’t really want to be away from him for a year.”
The family moved back to India when Gill was a few months old.
A Life-Changing Teacher:
At school in New Delhi, she was far from a model student. But like so many other writers, she had a life-changing teacher.
“I was a naughty kid and didn’t do my homework. But that teacher obviously saw something in me. She encouraged my creative spark and I started writing stories.”
At the age of 12, a non-fiction story Gill had written about her grandfather was published in a newspaper. This early publication kindled in her an abiding sense of the power of words.
“Something inside me said: ‘This is a really powerful thing, to be able to tell a story and give it to a stranger.’”
While Gill harbored an ambition to be a writer from then onward, her parents encouraged her to seek a more realistic career, albeit still a creative one. So her writing took a back seat while she studied design at university in New Delhi.
In 2012 she moved to the UK to do a Masters which focused on distraction theory in relation to young people with ADHD, ADD and dyslexia. This led to a desire to work with children with special needs.
“I wanted to do something meaningful with my life. It made me realise there are so many marginalised people who don’t have a voice. And who just need someone who can understand.”
I love the way she inspires women,and young women, very powerful messages
Thank you
For the inspiration!
Kindly
Linda Beardy
Thank you for introducing us to Ms Gill. Her words were a balm to me today. My Dad was buried last Wednesday. I found a Reverend to speak at his service and she did a very good job, but before the service, at a time when I was so sad, and experiencing total emotional overload, but still holding it together, she called me into a separate room to speak to me. I assumed that she needed some more information about my Dad. She did ask another question or two about Dad, but then went on to tell me that I should really lose weight and my husband should, too. And then she went on to tell me how she had lost 100 lbs. As overloaded as I was already feeling, I was stunned by this. Like I had been hit by a club. I was in such a weakened state both mentally and physically at that time, due to lack of sleep for several days before, while my Dad’s condition worsened, and grief, I could only respond with, “Yes I do need to lose weight.” Just then a family member came to see where I was and if I was ok. So I went back to greet visitors and be with my family.
Now one week later, I am more myself and I am so tempted to telephone the Reverend and tell her, nicely, that she should never do that to anyone else again at their loved one’s funeral. My husband said I should probably just forget about it and leave it alone. I may send the reverend a copy of one of Ms Gill’s poems along with a quick note instead, because I know that I will never be able to forget about it.
I’m so sorry for your loss. She shouldn’t be in her position if she can’t show true empathy. Think about either calling her or send a poem and let her know why it’s important. This woman needs to know she should not do this, although no one should have to tell her, so she doesn’t continue to treat grieving people like this. What a shame.
I have been a fan of hers for years. Her wisdom and words should be shared with all of the women in our lives.
I love this.
Thank you for sharing her, Brenda…following on Instagram now!
I think this is great. We need to remind each other and especially our daughters and granddaughters about how beautiful they are inside and out.
Kris
Thanks for sharing her. I will definitely look her up on Instagram. This is definitely right down my alley. xo Laura
I love poetry and have not heard of this poet. I will check out more of her work. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks so much for sharing! I’m anxious to read more about her and her work.
This woman holds my heart! TY for sharing her w/ us
Beautiful words! I will remind my daughter today how beautiful and kind she is. Thank you for the post, Brenda!