Standstill: The Art of Evading My Problems Across Three Continents

It’s no fun losing an identity if you’ve dedicated your life to it, whether it’s love, work or the place you call home. What happens if you bail on all three in quick succession?

Sashi Perera found out the hard way. After blowing up her long-term relationship and cancelling a destination wedding in Colombo, most people would take a second to reflect and regroup. Ignoring her loved ones’ suggestions of counselling, Sashi plunges into working with international refugee organizations and dating across the world. She struggles to sleep and navigate her transient lifestyle and the questionable dating experiences keep piling up, but that’s all normal, right? And what is home anyway? Does it matter if you never stay long in one place? When one too many messy experiences catch up with her, Sashi is forced to accept that life is at a standstill. She returns to Perth where her reality stinks. But that just might be where she needs to be.

Filled with vivid travel anecdotes and plenty of so-sad-it’s-funny moments, Standstill is a memoir of reluctant self-discovery by a person forced towards a mirror, kicking and screaming, finally looking in and saying, Oh shit.

Sashi Perera is a Sri Lankan Australian comedian, writer and recovering lawyer. The well-travelled yarn spinner was born in Colombo and raised in Dubai, Muscat and Perth. After working as a refugee lawyer in Australia, she worked with international refugee organizations around the world. She started stand-up comedy while completing her master’s degree in Melbourne. Her unique international tales, bizarre perspectives and sharp wit combined to send her viral in 2023. Her debut solo show Endings was nominated for the Best Newcomer award at the 2023 Melbourne International Comedy Festival. In 2024, she sold out shows across Australia, the UK, Amsterdam and Sri Lanka. She also made television appearances on Channel 10’s Have You Been Paying Attention and ABC’s Question Everything. She’s one of Australia’s fastest growing comedians and her socials are on 60 million views (and rising).