“Sometimes, the hardest thing and the right thing are the same.” – The Fray.
When faced with tough choices and overwhelming situations, it’s easy to feel lost and unsure. The journey through life’s challenges often requires making difficult decisions that, while tough, lead to growth and betterment. It’s in these moments that we discover our strength and resilience, finding new paths and support along the way.
Meet Rani (name changed), a 26-year-old PhD student at IIT BHU. Hailing from West Bengal, she completed her graduation there and moved to Varanasi for her master’s.
“My childhood was quite sheltered and my parents were referred to as “helicopter parents,” because they were highly protective.”
This meant Rani wasn’t allowed to go outside and play or visit friends’ houses. Her social interactions were limited to school and home, where she spent most of her time with her parents and sister. This lack of socializing continued until she graduated, leaving her with a strong but insular family bond.
“My hobby is painting and reading novels as I find comfort and expression in these solitary activities.”
Rani excelled academically, eventually pursuing her PhD. It was during this journey that she heard about YourDOST from her college, which partnered with the organization as their official mental health partner. Rani’s counsellor, Ananya Purkayastha, made a strong impression from their very first session.
At that time, Rani was dealing with a significant life change: her recent marriage.
“I got married a year and a half back, and it was a time when I had very good friends from my graduation but because of COVID and the fact that they moved abroad to study, we hadn’t seen each other for years.”
Rani hadn’t shared her relationship with her friends initially, as she feared judgment due to a past failed relationship. She decided to keep it a secret until the relationship became more concrete.
“I found myself in a situation where I had already registered for a court marriage but hadn’t yet told my good friends. It was very difficult, and I was stressed out.”
Her friends’ opinions mattered highly to Rani, and she felt guilty for not sharing her news sooner. This internal conflict led her to seek therapy.
With the help of her counsellor, Rani eventually found the courage to tell her friends about her marriage, even though a month after the wedding. Ananya provided Rani with various tools and techniques to manage her emotions.
“She gave me PDFs of tools to manage my emotions. I’m supposed to write down my feelings and how I handle situations. These tools help me become more self-aware.”
Rani found these exercises particularly helpful, even if she didn’t always write everything down, keeping track of her feelings mentally instead.
Therapy has helped her put herself in others’ shoes and understand different perspectives better. When she feels guilty about not doing enough for her family, her counsellor helps her realize that she’s putting too much pressure on herself, allowing her to relax.
“She’s very empathetic. I don’t feel judged on anything. She makes me feel comfortable, and I am thankful to her.”
This supportive relationship has made a significant impact on Rani’s well-being.
In terms of feeling better, Rani rates herself a 4 out of 5 and views improvement as treating herself better than before.
We at YourDOST are confident that Rani is on the right path and will continue to grow and thrive. We wish her all the best in her future endeavours!
Rani’s Warrior Tips:
1.“Treat yourself with the same kindness you treat others with.”
2.“Be your own best friend and maintain a kind inner monologue.”
3.“Remind yourself that you handled your situation as well as you could, and you will get through this.”
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.
