Shaheen Bhatt has often spoken candidly about personal growth, wellness and the pressure people put on themselves to become a “better” version of who they are. In a recent Instagram post, she reflected on several things she once believed would fix what she thought was wrong with her.
Her list included becoming more disciplined, losing weight, following skincare routines, going on holidays, taking supplements, exercising, finding the perfect routine, getting older and buying new things. Looking back, Shaheen said some of these choices helped her in certain ways, while others did little to change how she felt about herself.
‘Things I Thought Would Fix Me’
Sharing a series of pictures on Instagram, Shaheen titled the post, “Things I thought would fix me.”
The reflection explored a familiar idea: the belief that reaching a particular goal, changing one’s appearance or finding the right routine will automatically lead to feeling better internally.
Shaheen explained that she once believed working harder and becoming more disciplined would bridge every gap between the person she was and the person she wanted to become.
Over time, however, she began to understand that personal growth does not necessarily have to begin with the assumption that something is fundamentally wrong with you.
Losing Weight Didn’t Change How She Felt About Herself
One of the things Shaheen reflected on was weight loss.
She said that even after reaching her target weight, the change did not automatically transform the way she felt about herself. The experience made her question the assumption that changing her body would necessarily resolve deeper feelings of dissatisfaction.
Her reflection also highlights the difference between pursuing health or fitness goals and expecting physical changes to solve emotional struggles.
Skincare Became About Care, Not ‘Fixing’ Herself
Shaheen also included skincare among the things she once thought would fix her.
Her perspective eventually changed. Instead of treating skincare as a way to correct something that was wrong with her appearance, she began seeing it as a form of self-care.
The routine itself could be useful and enjoyable, but it was not a magical solution to everything she was feeling.
Holidays and Supplements Didn’t Have All the Answers
Travel was another item on Shaheen’s list.
She realised that going on a holiday can provide rest, a change of environment and new experiences, but it does not automatically change who you are once you return home.
She also reflected on supplements, acknowledging that they could sometimes be useful but were not a complete answer to every problem.
Her larger takeaway was that individual tools may have their place, but none of them should be expected to completely transform a person’s inner life.
Exercise Became About Strength Rather Than Becoming Smaller
Shaheen also reconsidered her relationship with exercise.
Rather than viewing workouts primarily through the lens of becoming smaller, she found greater meaning in becoming stronger.
That shift represents a broader change in how she approached self-improvement: instead of constantly trying to reduce or correct herself, she began focusing on what her body could do and how she could care for it.
There Is No Perfect Routine
Another belief Shaheen moved away from was the idea that she needed to find the perfect routine.
She acknowledged that routines can help create structure, but missing a day does not mean everything has failed.
For her, consistency became less about never slipping up and more about being able to start again after a break.
That perspective replaces perfection with flexibility and makes room for ordinary setbacks.
‘Getting Older’ Brought a Different Perspective
Shaheen also included getting older on her list of things she once thought would fix her.
With age, she said she became more comfortable with uncertainty. Growing older did not suddenly provide all the answers, but it brought a greater willingness to accept that not everything needs to be figured out immediately.
Buying new things also failed to create the transformation she had imagined.
New clothes, possessions or purchases can provide temporary excitement, but they do not automatically create a new version of yourself.
Shaheen Bhatt on Growth and Self-Acceptance
The central idea running through Shaheen’s reflection is that self-improvement does not have to be rooted in self-rejection.
She still wants to learn, change and grow, but she is increasingly recognising that growth can happen without constantly telling yourself that something is wrong with you.
Her perspective also echoes themes she has explored in her writing. In her book I’ve Never Been (Un)Happier, Shaheen wrote about her personal experiences with depression and anxiety and the challenges she faced from a young age.
