Mindy Kaling reflects on her upbringing, noting that her parents never discussed feelings of stress, as it was not a topic that was permitted in their household. This lack of verbal acknowledgment made the concept of stress foreign to her during her formative years. The environment instilled in her the idea that expressing such feelings was not acceptable.

Additionally, Kaling points out that the notion of "me time" was also absent from her childhood experience. Her observations highlight how cultural and familial influences shape one's understanding of mental health and self-care, which can lead to challenges in recognizing and addressing personal emotional needs in adulthood.