Finally, it felt like I attained some control over my life. I was doing something I liked- whether I capitalized on it or not with brand deals- it liberated me, empowered me, and had nice photos of myself.

Tamil songs act as a portal into an alternative universe and cage in images of sexuality often informed by the male gaze. However, the question remains: who do these images leave out?

Tamil women are becoming more vocal about their sexual experiences, both in terms of pleasure and pain, and truthfully, I could not be prouder of this progression. However, with these more candid discussions, one can't help but start to reflect on personal sexual experiences and how they may 'measure up.' Of course, this is a toxic game to play, but inevitable, nonetheless.

Shame follows us into public, personal, and intimate spheres, drawing borders around us from the inside out. In the absence of consent culture, shame manipulates notions of intimacy and pleasure, and our minds continuously berate us with questions such as: "What if they see me on this app?"

I immediately channelled all my focus and my attention to myself, but I never healed. I was too afraid to go down that path of self-healing and feeling all those emotions I once felt and have it come rushing back like an avalanche.

Mathusha Senthil on why educating young people is crucial for sexual health and wellness: “The best thing you can do is make sure that they get the right information.”