There are journeys that begin in quiet corners — a child with a notebook, scribbling stories no one else will ever read, chasing the thrill of creating something out of nothing. For Suman, that quiet magic was her earliest doorway into writing. In her primary school years, she would invent little adventures on paper, imagining worlds that only she could see. Even then, it felt like a secret gift — one that carried both wonder and power. That sense of magic never left her. Today, after years of detours, pauses, and rediscoveries, Suman stands as both a writer and a professional, blending creativity and strategy to craft stories that resonate with heart and meaning.

As a child, she often dreamed that writing would be more than a hobby. She could picture herself as an author, a journalist, someone shaping words into something that mattered. Even when life pushed her toward safer paths, that dream lingered. It wasn’t just fantasy — it was a vision she carried like an ember, glowing quietly until the time was right.

Her father was the first person to recognize her love for words. When she was unsure of what direction to take after her foundation year at university, he encouraged her to consider journalism, a new degree being introduced at the time. His understanding of her passion gave her the validation she needed. “That kind of encouragement,” she recalls, “planted the seed of confidence in me.” It was the first sign that writing was not only something she loved, but something she could build a future on.

Solitude played an equally important role in shaping her creativity. She always found herself most alive in moments of quiet — scribbling in notebooks as a child or, later, sitting with a cup of tea while coloring mandalas. Those moments of silence became her sanctuary, a space where she could process emotions, imagine new worlds, and express what words sometimes struggled to capture. Even now, solitude continues to nurture both her writing and her art.

One of the earliest stories she remembers writing remains etched in her memory — about how losing something is often a sign that something greater is coming. The story reflected a theme that would later define much of her life: hope. “Life gives you the hardest moments,” she says, “but that one shine of hope is all it takes to pave your way.” For Suman, hope has always been the thread that holds everything together.

Yet, like many, she faced challenges in pursuing writing as a career. Stability loomed large. Writing felt uncertain, unreliable, and the pressure to choose something more secure often overshadowed her creative calling. So, she tucked her passion away, not abandoning it, but saving it for a time when she could return to it fully. Those 11 years of waiting were filled with other explorations — from mandala coloring to diamond painting — activities that gave her balance and patience. “Passions don’t vanish,” she says. “They wait.” These hobbies were more than distractions; they were meditative practices that reminded her of the slow, deliberate beauty of creativity. Still, writing always remained at her core.

Of course, there were moments when she questioned whether to give up on writing entirely. Rejections and self-doubt, combined with the pressures of daily life, sometimes left her wondering if it was worth it. But every attempt to stop only revealed a deeper truth: writing wasn’t something she did, it was part of who she was. “It’s how I process the world,” she explains. That inner pull always brought her back, no matter how far she drifted.

Balancing personal responsibilities with creativity has never been easy, especially as a mother. But she learned to embrace the small windows of time — early mornings, late nights, even moments of quiet while her daughter colored alongside her. Those small pockets of creativity, whether through writing or painting, kept her grounded. They gave her not just energy, but a sense of identity. Her daughter, in many ways, has become part of her creative journey too. With her own set of art supplies, she joins her mother in painting and coloring, transforming creativity into a shared experience. Together, they turn everyday moments into memories of connection, learning, and self-expression.

Looking back, even the moments she once considered failures became blessings. For a long time, she carried guilt — believing she had wasted years or underestimated herself. But over time, she realized that those pauses shaped her resilience. They gave her the clarity to appreciate her writing when she returned to it and the courage to finally publish her first book. “I had to step out of my darker zones,” she says, “and finally accept that I exist — and so does my writing.”

Her debut book, Rahat Si Raatein Aur Ankahi Baatein: A Journey Reflecting Inner Thoughts through Soul-Inspiring Verses, was published in 2024. Written straight from personal experience, it captures emotions of hope, resilience, and self-discovery in verses that resonate deeply with readers. The book is now available for readers worldwide on Amazon: https://amzn.eu/d/cYGQ32W

The process of bringing the book to life was not without its challenges. Editing tested her patience, forcing her to cut lines she loved and to accept constructive criticism. But it also reinforced lessons she had learned through her other creative practices. Just as mandala coloring required focus on every tiny detail, editing reminded her that every small decision shaped the bigger picture. In the end, the reward outweighed the struggle. Holding her published book for the first time was a surreal moment — like holding years of waiting, hoping, and hard work in her hands. It was heavy, not just in paper and ink, but in meaning. It was proof that the journey was worth it.

Her book carries a message she hopes readers will hold close: struggles do not define our limits; they shape our strength. She wants her readers to feel less alone, to believe that their own stories matter. If even one person finishes her book with more hope than they started with, she feels she has succeeded.

Around the same time, she found herself exploring creativity in new ways. Mandala coloring, which had started as a relaxing hobby two years earlier, grew into a deeply fulfilling practice. The patterns and colors sharpened her focus and patience, offering a meditative rhythm that balanced her busy life. She began experimenting with diamond painting too, adding sparkle to her creative routine. These activities didn’t replace writing — they complemented it, reinforcing her belief that creativity comes in many forms and that small, mindful efforts can lead to something profoundly beautiful.

With renewed confidence from her book journey and a refreshed sense of creativity, she embraced her professional role with even greater clarity. As a Marketing Content Manager, she realized how much her creative writing skills had prepared her. “In marketing,” she explains, “you’re not just selling a product — you’re telling a story people can connect with.” The ability to simplify complex ideas, write with empathy, and build rhythm in words gave her a unique edge. She discovered that her passion for storytelling was not limited to books; it extended to shaping brand voices and strategies that resonated with global audiences.

One of her proudest professional moments came while leading the content and messaging for a global rebrand at ONLYOFFICE. It was not just about changing visuals, but about aligning the entire company’s voice and strategy. She worked closely with her team to craft consistent messaging across campaigns, product materials, and global content. Seeing the brand come alive and directly contribute to higher engagement was, for her, a defining moment. It was proof that creativity, when combined with structure, could drive meaningful impact.

Readers can connect with Suman and explore more of her professional journey on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sumanshafi/ and on her website here: Home - Words & Works

Balancing creativity with strategy has become her strength. She describes herself as a “structured creative” — someone who starts with strategy but allows creativity to flow within it. Tight deadlines are inevitable, but clear workflows and content calendars keep her grounded. This balance ensures she never loses sight of quality or imagination, even in high-pressure environments.

What excites her most about today’s digital world is the instant connection with people. Sharing content online provides immediate feedback, which keeps her learning and adjusting. For her, this constant exchange of ideas makes content creation dynamic and alive. It removes guesswork and sharpens her instincts, fueling her growth as both a writer and a professional.

Looking back, she wishes she could tell her younger self never to stop writing, because those words were never just a hobby. They would become her path. She would remind that young girl that passion opens doors that logic cannot see and that every small act of expression — a poem, a journal entry, a blog — is a step toward something bigger.

Patience and resilience, she believes, have been her strongest companions. Campaigns may fail, projects may take longer than expected, and creativity may falter. But patience helps her pause and learn, while resilience helps her move forward. Together, they’ve taught her that success is not about one big breakthrough, but about persistence — showing up, adapting, and staying true even in the face of setbacks.

When creativity feels blocked, she steps away, seeks inspiration, or strips the process back to basics. Sometimes a walk or a change of scenery resets her. Other times, reading or exploring sparks new ideas. And when nothing else works, she writes freely without pressure, letting words spill out until the flow returns. For her, creativity is never lost — it only waits to be reignited.

To anyone who feels it’s too late to pursue their passion, her advice is clear: it is never too late. “Passion doesn’t come with an expiry date,” she insists. Starting small, even with ten minutes a day, can create momentum. The key is not perfection but progress. In today’s world, opportunities to learn, share, and grow are endless. The only time it becomes “too late” is when we decide not to try.

Looking ahead, Suman sees two journeys unfolding side by side. On the professional side, she hopes to step into a more strategic leadership role — something like a Director of Content — where she can shape narratives at scale and mentor other creators. On the personal side, she is working on a collection of short stories, allowing her to experiment and play with words in a way that feels both freeing and deeply personal. Both paths excite her equally, because together they honor who she is: a professional with vision and a creator with heart.

For Suman, creativity has never been just about achievement. It has been about survival, resilience, and joy. It has been about finding herself in the darkest moments and sharing light with others. Through her words, her art, and her professional voice, she continues to remind us that storytelling — in all its forms — is not just a craft but a way of living. Her journey proves that passions may wait, but they never fade, and that the courage to follow them can transform not only our own lives, but the lives of those who cross our path.