Not Yet, But Becoming

Not Yet, But Becoming by Sandeep Chavan, is a powerful and refreshing guide for young adults standing at the edge of identity and self-discovery. Part story, part reflection, and part workbook, it offers a new way of looking at the question every teenager quietly carries: "Who am I, and who am I supposed to become?"Through the story of three cousins spending a holiday with their uncle - Jason the achiever, Ethan the rebel, and Lily the quiet observer - readers are drawn into conversations that mirror their own struggles.
Jason believes identity comes from ambition and titles. Ethan refuses all labels, convinced freedom means rejecting them. Lily, thoughtful and curious, wonders what "becoming" even means. Their uncle, David, doesn't lecture. Instead, he listens, nudges, and slowly reveals a new perspective: identity is not a fixed label or a borrowed mask. It is a ripple - the first ripple - setting the shape for everything that follows.
Told in a warm, modern style, the book blends narrative with reflective sidebars called Ripple Notes, where Uncle David distills key insights, and Ripple Labs, practical activities that let readers test ideas in their own lives. These unique features make the book more than a story - it becomes a personal workshop for noticing alignment, confronting misalignment, and experimenting with authenticity.
Not Yet, But Becoming challenges the pressure of quick labels and forced success. It shows that identity doesn't have to be finished at sixteen, eighteen, or even twenty-five. It reassures young readers: you are not late, you are not broken, you are not behind. You are in the middle of becoming - and that "not yet" is your freedom. Perfect for teenagers navigating school, social media, friendships, and family expectations, this book also serves as a valuable guide for parents and teachers who want to understand the real struggles behind borrowed masks and hidden stress.
Whether you are the ambitious Jason, the questioning Ethan, or the reflective Lily - or a mix of all three - this book offers you a mirror. It doesn't hand you answers; it invites you into awareness. Because once you notice your first ripple, you can shape all the rest. You are not yet. But you are becoming.