“Every storm runs out of rain.” – Maya Angelou.
There may come days in life when even smiling at another human may seem a daunting task. However, even when it is a cliche to establish that this, too, shall pass, it is the eternal truth that leads us all to a better tomorrow.
Jayati Chandra is a young-spirited 25-year-old postgraduate diploma holder from Whistling Woods International Institute.
She is originally from Bangalore and lives with her parents and younger sister. Gradually, Jayati developed a love for movies, reading, and nature walks. As a filmmaker and cinephile, she spends much of her free time watching films, capturing photos and videos, and sharing them on social media.
“Movies and photography are my escapes. They help me create a world where I feel safe and understood.”
Jayati’s childhood was difficult due to her parent’s strict parenting and her limited social interactions as a child.
“My parents used to quite frequently punish me. It was tough because I was often punished for the smallest mistakes.”
This harsh treatment made it hard for her to have friends, as her parents’ overprotectiveness limited her social life outside of school and sports classes.
Jayati learned about YourDOST from her college, which partners with the organisation as their official mental health partner.
Jayati chose Ms Sadia Sultana as her counsellor from the platform because she needed someone who could understand her situation, relate to her experiences, and provide a fresh perspective.
“I needed to find someone who could see the world through my eyes, someone who gets what it’s like to be in my shoes.”
Jayati’s decision to seek therapy was triggered by a recent breakup with her long-time boyfriend, with whom she shared many bitter-sweet memories.
“I had been with him for about two and a half years, so the breakup was extremely tough and traumatising for me. I was suddenly left all alone in the big city.”
After her breakup, Jayati realised that her partner was her pillar of support in the big and unknown city. She had never experienced life alone in Mumbai, so she found it difficult to adjust to being all by herself. Her previous therapy sessions had addressed her rocky relationship with her family, but this time, she was determined to focus on her healing journey.
During her sessions with Sadia, Jayati learned several techniques to manage her stress and anxiety. Sadia advised her to document her recurring thoughts and classify them into those with practical solutions and those without.
“This helped ground me to reality because there were so many things I couldn’t do anything about. It was much easier to not think or worry about them so much.”
Sadia also suggested methods to improve Jayati’s sleep, such as avoiding screens before bedtime, practising deep breathing exercises, and journaling.
“I’ve been journaling and found a helpful journal on Amazon, which I shared with her for reference.”
However, she realised with time that being too rigid with her journal started to feel overwhelming due to ADHD. Sadia is now helping her find a balance between structured activities and spontaneity.
The therapy sessions also addressed Jayati’s feelings of loneliness.
“Many of my friends were also my ex-partner’s friends, so it was hard to talk to people about the breakup, and I couldn’t open up to anyone.”
Talking with Sadia allowed Jayati to access her deeper emotions and understand the underlying reasons for her behaviour. She is slowly exploring new things and is open about taking the first step, even if it could be better.
“I haven’t told my family about the breakup yet, and I know they’ll react differently, but opening up to Sadia was organic. I’m so thankful to her for helping me and being a pillar of support. She’s always open to understanding my issues, making me feel heard.”
In terms of feeling better, Jayati rates herself a 4 out of 5. For her, improvement means different things at different times. Sometimes, it’s huge, life-changing decisions; other times, it’s as simple as getting out of bed and following a routine.
We at YourDOST are positive that Jayati is just moments away from hitting the golden 5 mark, and we wish her luck in all her future plans!
Jayati’s Warrior Tips:
1.“It’s worth hanging in there, and reaching out for help is always okay.”
2.“Find good people to reach out to for support.”
3.“Stay consistent and try as much as possible, even when it feels impossible. It does get easier.”
Are you someone who has gone through a difficult phase and emerged stronger and better, with some professional help? Share your story with us to encourage thousands of others who might be struggling. Click here to submit your story.
