Most people spend years learning how to meet expectations.
They learn how to be dependable, responsible, and available for everyone around them. Yet amid the demands of careers, relationships, and daily responsibilities, many quietly neglect one important relationship: the one they have with themselves.
For Susrita Das, this realization became the foundation of a deeply personal literary journey. Her debut poetry collection, What If I Choose Me?, explores self-reflection, healing, resilience, and the courage it takes to place one’s own well-being at the center of life’s narrative. The collection has since earned recognition through the prestigious 21st Century Emily Dickinson Award.
But the story behind the book begins long before it was ever published.
Professionally, Susrita wears many hats. She is a software engineer, a data scientist, an animal activist, a philanthropist, and now, an emerging poet. While these roles may appear distinct, they are connected by a common thread: a deep curiosity about people, emotions, and the ways individuals grow through life’s experiences.
Her work in technology has sharpened her analytical thinking, but it is her compassion and empathy that shape her creative voice. Whether supporting animal welfare initiatives, contributing to community causes, or reflecting on everyday human experiences, Susrita has always been drawn to understanding what drives people, what heals them, and what helps them move forward.
Like many meaningful creative projects, What If I Choose Me? emerged from a period of personal struggle. Rather than allowing those challenges to define her, Susrita chose to explore them through writing. What began as a way to process emotions gradually evolved into something larger: a collection of poems that documents a journey of self-discovery and personal growth.
Interestingly, the book was born from a 21-day writing challenge. What started as a commitment to write consistently soon became an opportunity to confront difficult emotions, revisit important life lessons, and rediscover inner strength. With each poem, she uncovered new perspectives about healing, resilience, and the importance of choosing oneself without guilt.
The result is a collection that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable.
Throughout the book, readers encounter reflections on courage, self-worth, vulnerability, and transformation. The poems encourage introspection without offering simplistic answers. Instead, they create space for readers to ask themselves the same question that inspired the collection’s title: What if I choose me?
In a world where burnout, self-doubt, and constant comparison have become increasingly common, the message of the book feels particularly relevant. It reminds readers that self-care is not selfish, healing is not linear, and growth often begins when we give ourselves permission to prioritize our own needs.
The emotional honesty of the collection is perhaps its greatest strength. Susrita does not position herself as someone who has all the answers. Rather, she writes as someone who has navigated challenges, learned from them, and continues to grow through the process. This authenticity creates a powerful connection with readers who may be facing similar struggles in their own lives.
Receiving the 21st Century Emily Dickinson Award marks an important milestone in Susrita Das’s literary journey and celebrates the impact of a collection rooted in courage, vulnerability, and self-reflection.
At its core, What If I Choose Me? is not simply a book of poems. It is a reminder that choosing yourself is not an act of selfishness but an act of self-respect. Through her words, Susrita invites readers to embrace their own journeys, honor their emotions, and discover the strength that emerges when they finally decide to put themselves first.
Sometimes, the most important choice we make is the one that leads us back to ourselves.
📖 Title: What If I Choose Me?
🛒 Book: https://amazon.in/dp/9375438074
📸 Instagram: @sushi_2609
