Happy Panda- Random Blogger Interviews

Hey there! Welcome back to ‘The Confessions of a Random Blogger!’

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Moksha from Happy Panda. She’s one of my favourite bloggers on this platform and I was super excited to interview her! We spoke about everything from blogging to her passion for environmentalism and sustainability; and how she leveraged it to start her own brand of sustainable home and personal care products.

Let’s get started!

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How would you describe yourself and your blog to a new reader?

Are you an adult who doesn’t understand how adulting works? So am I. Welcome to my blog where I discuss all the adult things I constantly fail at. JK! My blog is a safe space for me to share all the things I think but don’t say out aloud. It is also a safe space for anyone else that wants to share their thoughts and experiences. 

What is your writing process like? Do you have any traditions or rituals you do while writing?

I honestly don’t have a writing process. I usually get ideas in the shower, get out and just write about it. 

Why are you so passionate about the environment and sustainability? Was there one specific moment in your life that made you this passionate about environmental initiatives?

When I was 10 years old, my school had this whole session about how crackers are harmful for the environment and I never burst a cracker ever again. But it is odd how everyone can see the harmful impact of such isolated incidents (like bursting crackers on 1 day of the year) but don’t see how our daily habits (no matter how small) also add up and impact the planet and in turn our lives. This understanding of how our every action has an impact on the environment only sunk in recently for me. During the lockdown, my sister started telling me about sustainability and leading a sustainable lifestyle. Curiosity got the better of me and I started reading up about it. And something just clicked inside me – something made me want to do something about it, not necessarily start a brand but to try and educate people about sustainability. 

Tell us about your brand of sustainable home and personal care products and where we can buy them! How did you come up with the idea for your business and how did you turn your dream into a reality?

The world is divided into two sets of people – 90% people believe that sustainability is a fad, 10% people who are trying to become a 100% sustainable. But the fact is that 100% sustainability is just NOT possible for an average human being leading an average life. We depend on the government for our power here in India and till the government doesn’t change from fossil fuel based power to renewable energy based power – it is close to impossible for an average human being with an average income to do anything about it. 

Through my brand I want to –

• Educate people in India about sustainability 
• Make it possible through my products and learnings for people to at least become 50% more sustainable in the next 5-8 years (I have realistic goals)
• Make sustainable products a part of all households – meaning I want to eventually (in 5 years) make sustainable products as affordable as plastic products
• Encourage Indian handicrafts – it is amazing how most of the handicrafts made in India are quite sustainable. They usually use all natural products and are completely hand made. I want to use my sustainable brand to promote them. 

My brand is called Moksha (because I am a narcissist). The products are available on our website (https://themokshalife.in/) and also available on Amazon and Flipkart. We have newly launched our new range of products including sustainable rakhi’s that can be planted after being used. So, please shop and support my small business.

How I launched my business – I was looking for a business idea, this clicked with me, I invested my savings from my previous corporate job (I was a banker) and now trying this out.

Donald Trump once famously proclaimed that climate change is a “nonexistent expensive hoax.” What would you like to say to people like Donald Trump that claim that climate change doesn’t exist or that try to undermine the long-lasting effects of greenhouse gas emissions?

The polar ice caps are rapidly melting and sea levels are rising across the globe. We are all in the middle of the worst summers of our lives across the world. There are increased incidences of natural calamities, again, across the world. If this doesn’t ring bells and alarm people – it is predicted that at the rate at which the sea levels are rising by 2050 a few major cities across the world will be underwater. The best time to start acting on climate change was 30 years back, the second best time is NOW. 

You’re a self-proclaimed travel addict. What’s your favourite place you’ve ever travelled?

I have a favourite place and a favourite trip. I am a beach bum and despite having gone to beautiful beaches in Europe, South Asia and India – I have to say my favourite place is Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Pristine beaches, fewer people, crystal clear water, beautiful properties and the most surreal sunrises and sunsets. I almost feel bad promoting it because I really don’t want too many people to go there and ruin the place’s beauty. 

My favourite trip was a two-week solo trip to Spain for my birthday. I love solo travelling and being in a new country by myself was so liberating. I had some fun adventures, met some great people and had the best trip of my life.

What are some of your biggest aspirations, in terms of blogging and in general?

Biggest aspiration with regards to blogging would be to get a few thousand more followers and finally start working with brands. 

Biggest aspiration in general – do good in the world and change a few lives for the better. Leave a legacy without being famous (I have social anxiety and the thought of fame freaks me out). 

What was one of your biggest blogging mistakes?

In general, I think not monetising my blog is a mistake since I think it would make me take blogging more seriously and help me achieve my goal of working with brands. 

Who are some of your favourite bloggers and why?

Too many to be named but I do have a blogger recommendation series on my blog if anyone is looking for blogger recommendations.

What is your opinion about blogging as a career? Should blogging just be a hobby? What would you like to say to people that say otherwise?

In my limited knowledge, blogging is perfect for those people looking to augment their income with a secondary source of income. Just blogging isn’t enough to make a career out of in India – you would have to target becoming an influencer on some social media platform as well. Having a specific niche is really helpful if you are looking to make an income from blogging. The most popular niche in India, I think, is technology.   

What is the most difficult thing about blogging?

Socialising with strangers. I am an introvert with social anxiety – so having to respond to comments and emails from total strangers sends my anxiety spiralling. Ironically, once these strangers become friends – this interaction becomes the best part of blogging. 

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Thank you for reading! Once again, I would like to thank Moksha for allowing me to interview her. Be sure to check out her blog and her brand of sustainable products!

Now I have a question for you guys- What is something you’ve done recently to protect the environment and encourage sustainability in your day to day life? Tell me about it in the comments below!

Connect with me on Instagram!

You can check out my last few posts here:

• The Scariest Things That Actually Exist
• borrowed poems from an anonymous- ‘Expressions of Love’ and ‘Experience’
• The Horror of Surveillance
• Pet Peeves
• Happy Panda- Random Blogger Interviews

Until Next Time.