Riya (name changed) is a 26-year-old resilient and courageous woman from the city of Mumbai. She pursued her Master’s degree from the National Institute Of Design and currently works as a UX Designer.
Her life was a canvas of colours and melodies, much like her passion for art and music. She shared her world with her dad and her sister, cherishing the moments they spent together.
However, a shadow had cast itself over Riya’s family. A year ago, her world had been shaken to its core when her beloved mother passed away. The void left behind was vast, and Riya found herself drowning in a sea of emotions, struggling to come to terms with her loss.
“I’ve always had a good relationship with my dad, but my mom was the glue that held us together. I struggled to cope with my life after we lost her.”
With her mother gone, Riya felt adrift, like a boat without its anchor. The burden of grief weighed heavily upon her, and she realized that she needed help to navigate through this difficult time.
With support from her family and friends, she made a decision to turn to therapy. It was a decision that would soon prove to be the turning point in her life.
An Old Chinese Proverb reads
“You cannot prevent the birds of sorrow from flying over your head, but you can prevent them from building nests in your hair.”
Riya decided that it was time for her to get help and find positivity in her life after this tragedy. She remembered that her university had a partnership with YourDOST which is how she embarked on her counseling journey.
Riya’s quest for emotional healing led her to two remarkable individuals who would shape her path to recovery- Ms. Shruti and Ms. Madhura. These two counselors were her guiding stars, illuminating her journey with hope and resilience.
“My first counselor, Ms. Shruti was a pillar of patience. She created a very safe and secure space for me to take my time, and share as much as I was comfortable with.”
In Ms. Shruti’s presence, Riya felt truly seen, heard, and understood. Their sessions allowed Riya to process her grief in her own time, letting go of all the expectations people around her had placed upon her.
As Riya continued her journey, Ms. Madhura stepped into her life at precisely the right moment. It had been six months since her mother’s passing, and the world around her echoed with the refrain that it was time to move on.
Ms. Madhura, with her unwavering support and guidance, helped Riya muster the courage crucial decisions about her career and her life in general.
“Ms. Madhura urged me to trust myself and take leaps of faith with my decisions. Before, I found it difficult to make decisions without going over them again and again. But with Ms Madhura’s help, I learned to believe in my own capabilities.”
Both Ms. Shruti and Ms. Madhura equipped Riya with the tools to navigate her emotional landscape. They taught her breathing techniques which helped her calm her thoughts down and clear her mind.
Reflective exercises, such as the retrospective exercise, allowed Riya to see her emotions from a new perspective, as though she were viewing her life through the lens of an artist. These exercises not only helped her understand her emotions but also marked her progress on the path to healing.
As therapy became an integral part of her life, she noticed that tasks that once seemed daunting were becoming more manageable. She established a daily routine that brought a sense of order and stability to her world. She felt a growing optimism, like the first strokes of colour on a canvas, as her life began to take shape once more.
Riya rates herself a 3 out of 5 in terms of feeling better. With each session, each brushstroke of healing, she was crafting a future that shone with hope and possibility. We are incredibly inspired by her journey and we wish her all the best for her future!
Riya’s Warrior Tips:
1.“Be patient with yourself. Recognize that your journey is unique and have faith in your own strength.”
2.“Seek help when you need it, and be consistent with your therapy.”
