“The only journey is the journey within.” – Rainer Maria Rilke.
Being there for someone is always an act of good service and shouldn’t be based on what we get in return. However, when acts of kindness are only from one side and met with selfishness from the other, it should be normal to stop the services without an explanation. Being good and truthful to yourself is what should be followed, no matter what the other party does to you.
Meet Keerthi (name changed), a 28-year-old who worked as a DevOps Engineer at Impetus India.
Brought up in Pune, Keerthi spent seven to eight years in a different city before her family moved back. She then spent a year working in Ahmedabad but now lives in Pune.
“My childhood was challenging, but as I was child back then, I enjoyed some parts of it.
Siblings are like a piece of childhood that stays with you forever. Keerthi’s childhood was made better with the presence of her beloved brother, who stayed with her through thick and thin.
“I have a very good relationship with my brother, but my friendships have always been short-lived. I get too involved with people and often feel let down.”
Keerthi’s relationship with her family has been complicated for some time. Things improved slightly with her mother after she started working, but her relationship with her father remains formal and distant.
Keerthi loves writing poetry and expressing her thoughts. However, she admits she hasn’t been able to write much in the past two years. She shares her love for music and ghazals, but her busy career and the need to be financially independent have taken a toll on her creative pursuits.
Keerthi first heard about YourDOST from her workplace, which partners with the organisation as their official mental health partner. Feeling overwhelmed, she sought help and chose Ms. Anjali Jain as her counsellor.
“She allowed me to speak everything, like what was there, what was disturbing me from the inside.”
Her journey to therapy was triggered by a series of traumatic family events. One incident, in particular, involved her family asking her to investigate her uncle’s suspected extramarital affair.
“That was one of the regrets I had. This task made me feel like a puppet, and I was expected to solve everyone’s problems but receive no support in return.”
When she confided in her family and friends, their responses were disappointing. The lack of support led to a series of breakdowns, making her feel isolated and overwhelmed.
“When asked for an explanation there was no proper response either from my family or my friends. I was being held away from the truth, and everything was choking inside me.”
Earlier this year, a series of unfortunate incidents in Keerth’s life further added to her already bad emotional distress. The silent stressors impacted her ability to focus on her studies and job, leaving her in a difficult state.
The turning point came when Keerthi began therapy with Ms. Anjali. She gave her small tasks related to her goals so that Keerthi could concentrate on her plans.
The focus was on managing her past traumas while moving forward with her life. One effective technique was journaling. Cutting off from social media also proved beneficial.
“Now, my WhatsApp and Instagram activity is minimal. I don’t let it affect me as much.”
Another significant change was reducing her dependency on psychiatric medication. Maintaining a proper schedule and following set routines also played a crucial role in her recovery. Keerthi now feels more at peace with herself.
“If things are coming to me, it’s okay. If not, that’s okay too. I focus on my goals and let everything else be. The weight of my past has lessened, and I am learning to navigate life with hope.”
Gratitude plays a big part in Keerthi’s journey, and she thanks her counsellor for that.
“When nobody was there to listen to me, Anjali was there for me. The support I received helped me stop doubting myself and my decisions. I am very thankful to her.”
In terms of feeling better, Keerthi rates herself 3 out of 5. For her, improvement means continuously working on herself and striving for betterment.
Keerthi has been on a gradual journey of healing, and we at YourDOST couldn’t be happier. We wish her the best in her journey!
Keerthi’s Warrior Tips:
1.“Believe in yourself and seek validation from within.”
2.“If you’re struggling, talk to a psychologist or therapist. They can help you navigate through difficult times.”
3.“Accept your emotions; there’s no shame in feeling vulnerable or needing support.”
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.
