be you conversations: jazzmine raine
Be You Conversations: Jazzmine Raine
By: Nicki Patel | 7.3.18
She is as fierce as she is beautiful
"And one day she discovered that she was fierce, and strong, and full of fire, and that not even she could hold herself back because here passion burned brighter than her fears." ~ Marc Anthony
Jazzmine is the coolest girl I know, like literally ya'll. She is a writer, a world traveler, a conscious and ethical fashionista, and the co-founder of north India's first zero waste guesthouse! Oh, and she is a boss at aerial yoga! This girl does it all, and I am constantly inspired by her strength and courage to do it all. She has been our biggest supporter since day 1, and I couldn't imagine our journey without her. Her smile lights up the world, and she is beautiful inside and out. I hope her journey inspires you to see the world in a new light. <3
Her Story
I’m Jazz! I’m a 25-year old social entrepreneur currently developing north India’s first zero waste guesthouse, Hara House. I work primarily in responsible tourism with a passion and second career in writing and copy writing. I’m a proud Canadian with Caribbean and Western European ancestry. I have big curly hair, a splat of freckles and couldn’t be happier with the uniqueness that my features give me. I’ve been travelling the world for 5 years now working in grassroots development and currently live between Delhi and Bikaner, India where everyday I am so grateful that I get to show people around my favorite places in a sustainable way.
Why I connect with the #beyou campaign:
Identity and finding myself has always been a struggle, especially as someone who wasn’t really educated on her heritage, and now lives on the other side of the world. I was always the girl with fourteen different groups of friends, each group so different from one another, and a love for meeting new people. I always found I would take on various personality traits of others as I started to build up who I wanted to be, quickly realizing every time that you can’t force characteristics upon you, you have to work on who you want to be slowly, surrounding yourself with positive influence. Reflection, travel, journalism and meditation has truly made me the woman I am today. I’m still on a journey but one that gets more exciting and humbling every minute.
What is your favorite food/dish (because I love FOOD)?
Although I’m lactose and gluten intolerant, pizza is my guilty pleasure and I choose to be in pain to consume it.
What does it mean to you to be you in a world of others?
Never take anything too seriously. You are gifted life in this form once, be exactly who makes you happiest.
What is one piece of advice you would give your younger self – about life, career, hopes/dreams, anything?
Stop worrying so much! I can’t believe how much time I wasted constantly worrying about what was next and setting deadlines for myself as if I could control the future. Once you let go of that control and enjoy the moment, it’s so beautiful to watch everything fall into place.
What would you tell someone who is trying/struggling to find themselves in the chaos/noise of the world?
Travel, baby. New perspective and knowledge gained from different countries and cities around the world can help you through the challenge of finding yourself and your identity. I’m still on my search but everyday I seem to get closer and closer as I throw myself into new environments.