The impact of Rupi Kaur and her work on modern-day poetry is, in a word, massive. The New Republic named Kaur “the writer of the decade,” and her widely popular milk and honey has sold more than six million copies and spent more than three years on The New York Times best-seller list. This October, the poet, writer, performer, producer and more, is publishing a 10th Anniversary Collector’s Edition of her beloved book and, as she shared with us, the experience is “beautiful and emotional.” Read on to hear how Kaur keeps the balance in between it all.
How does it feel to know so many people have read your work?
It feels unbelievable! It’s hard to wrap my head around it all. I’ve just started the milk and honey 10-year anniversary-edition book-signing tour. It’s been so beautiful and emotional to connect with my readers again. I feel so incredibly grateful and happy, I can’t even explain it to you. When a young woman walks up to me to share that she found milk and honey in middle school, and then the sun and her flowers got her through high school, and home body through college, and now she’s graduated; I feel so grateful to be a part of their life in that way. So many of my readers have gifted me their own books of poetry. Books they have self-published since being inspired by milk and honey. That’s what I’m most proud of: People feeling empowered to use their voice and express themselves through writing.
What made this book different?
To celebrate this milestone, I didn’t just want to release a special edition with a new cover and introduction. I wanted it to be a director’s cut of the original milk and honey. I added a brand-new chapter with about 40 new poems. I also included my own annotations on the original poems, added diary entries from a decade ago, along with archival images that showcased my 10-year journey. I also asked some close friends to share their annotations. This edition is a love letter to my readers. It’s a celebration of everything we’ve overcome in the last decade.
How do you stay creative?
I write. I am most connected to myself when I write so I try to maintain a writing process that feeds my soul. What I like to do is go to my local coffee shop first thing in the morning and spend one-to-two hours just freewriting in my journal. I might also do some editing. After the coffee shop, I head home to write for a few more hours or simply edit poems I see potential in. Other things that fuel my creativity are spending time with friends, looking after my mental health, laughing with the people I love and doing my best to stay present.
What do you do when the words just aren’t coming to paper?
I use writing prompts and writing exercises like the ones you’ll find in my fourth book, Healing Through Words. Freewriting is a great way to break through writer’s block. I used to be really hard on myself if I felt stuck creatively. I would force myself to stay at my desk and keep pushing through but I no longer do that. Forcing the writing was making writing a miserable process.
Is there anything you do for self-care?
My self-care needs vary depending on the season of life I’m in. For example, I’m currently on tour, which means the biggest self-care practice I need to incorporate into my day is protecting my mornings. I can’t sign books for two to four hours a day if I’m not taking time for myself. You can’t pour from an empty cup. And it can be challenging to maintain a healthy routine when you’re in a new city every other day. What works best for me is waking up in the morning and not touching anything work-related until I go into hair and makeup. I’ll go to a coffee shop, journal, explore the city, visit a museum or exercise. By the time I do this, I feel full and arrive in the makeup chair feeling nourished and ready to share my energy with all of my readers.
Are there any beauty products you love?
Sahajan skin care and Tatcha are some of my favorite skin-care brands. In terms of makeup, I love Kosas. I use their blushes, foundation, and concealer. Charlotte Tilbury is so gorgeous, and I’m a big fan of their dry face mask, and of course, anything Fenty!
What is beauty to you?
Feeling good in my skin. Eating well and moving my body always makes me feel beautiful inside, which then helps me feel confident about how I look on the outside. Beauty is also about using tools that make me feel good—whether it’s a red light therapy mask or a facial massage tool. And then, to top it off, makeup and skin care that makes my skin feel loved! And of course, never forget the SPF. What is trending doesn’t always have to define our version of beauty. We aren’t a trend. We’re all on a lifelong journey to celebrate who we are.
