“Sometimes the bravest and most important thing you can do is just show up.” – Brené Brown.
Life is a chain of doubts and situations that makes us question our intellect and sanity at times. It’s in these moments of doubt and confusion that simply being present and reaching out for support can open new paths and perspectives. It’s about taking that first step, even when it’s hard, and discovering that there’s always hope and a way forward, no matter how tough things seem.
Meet Sneha (name changed), a 23-year-old law student at the prestigious National Law University. She hails from Odisha and was born and brought up in the state.
Sneha wasn’t pampered but was taught to be independent and self-reliant even though she was the only child of her parents. Her parents instilled in her the values of standing up for herself and being strong.
“I share a very heart-to-heart relationship with all the members of my family and I’m particularly close to my mom.”
Sneha describes that her hobbies vary depending on her mood and mostly she likes to listen to her favourite genre of music, dancing, and sketching.
It was during her time at college that she heard about the YourDOST platform, which partnered with her college to offer mental health support.
Initially, Sneha was sceptical about the idea of talking to a counsellor because she couldn’t understand how speaking to a stranger could help her. However, after an incident at college, she started feeling lost and was looking for guidance. It was then that she decided to give counselling a try and was introduced to Ranjitha K., who became her counsellor for almost a year.
“I felt overwhelmed with everything around me. I have always valued friendships and relationships, but I struggled to balance them. There was a time when I was close to someone and did everything I could to maintain that friendship, but it didn’t work out. I felt like I lost myself trying to keep it together.”
Sneha’s efforts to maintain her friendship were never acknowledged. She constantly had to adjust and compromise, feeling like she was the only one putting in effort. This left her feeling overwhelmed and questioning her worth.
“When a person reciprocates the same connection or bond that you show, you tend to not notice that you may have attachment issues. It is only when you realise that person isn’t there with you to hear you out and you feel alone by yourself realising the actual situation. Gradually, I began to draw boundaries with people and learnt not to get attached easily.”
Ranjitha suggested practical activities and techniques to help Sneha manage her feelings.
“She told me to write down my feelings or make notes about how I was feeling. This helped me understand why I felt a certain way during the gaps in our sessions, and we used to discuss those notes in the next meeting.”
This process brought about immense positive changes in Sneha’s perspective. She learned to think that people might be acting out because of their own issues or maybe it’s their personality that is different from hers. She used to get frustrated with others or at times, lose her calmness, but now she understands that maybe they are going through something themselves.
“Another significant change I noticed was my positive mindset. I realised that life was too short to dwell on negative things and to just let go of the things, learn from them, and move on.”
Sneha expresses deep gratitude towards Ranjitha.
“I can’t thank her enough because she has been a guiding angel for me. It is because of her that I’m able to express myself better and handle my past more interactively.”
In terms of her progress, Sneha rates herself a 4 out of 5 in feeling better and sees improvement as growth. She emphasises the importance of seeking professional help without fearing judgment.
Her story is a testament to the power of self-awareness. We at YourDOST could not be more proud of her!
Sneha’s Warrior Tips:
1.“Developing a sense of self-awareness will help you understand yourself better.”
2.“Seek professional help when needed, without fearing judgment.”
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.
