Life often mirrors the changing seasons. Sometimes, we bask in the warmth of summer, and other times, we weather winter storms. Along this journey, we encounter various landscapes, from flourishing gardens to arid deserts, and gradually, we learn and grow in these diverse terrains, seeking solace and strength.
This is the story of Shivam Aggarwal, a 24-year-old B.Com and MBA graduate from Ahmedabad University.
Shivam hails from Ahmedabad, where he completed his entire schooling and undergraduate studies. Reflecting on his childhood, Shivam describes it as privileged and fortunate. Like a nurturing forest, his family provided a stable environment free of financial difficulties.
“I have had supportive friends at every stage of my life, and they formed a reliable support system. After finishing my undergraduate studies, I moved to Hyderabad for an MBA. I graduated a few months ago and am currently working as an intern in Mumbai while awaiting my placement job.”
Shivam is content with his career choices and the personal growth he has experienced over the past five to six years, much like a river carving its path through varied landscapes.
“I have various hobbies ranging from playing tennis and reading to enjoying fiction from multiple genres.”
Shivam first heard about YourDOST through his college, which has a partnership with the organization as their official mental health partner.
“I had a great first impression of my counsellor. She was very calm and shared stories from her life related to my issues. She created a safe space for me to open up about anything.”
Shivam reached out to YourDOST during his mid-teen years when he was struggling with body image issues and a general feeling of inadequacy. His counsellor validated these feelings, explaining that many teens face similar problems. This validation helped Shivam understand that he was not alone in his struggles.
“It was a long journey. It didn’t get fixed with a couple of conversations, but it took years of work and experiences to understand that those issues were building blocks for how I shaped my worldview.”
During his counselling sessions, Shivam’s counsellor suggested an activity to help him identify the root causes of his feelings. He created a board with three aspects of his life: professional, social, and personal. He then assessed each area, indicating whether he was doing well.
“This exercise helped me narrow down the sources of my concerns, almost like a gardener assessing the health of different garden sections.”
Shivam also struggled with gratitude, hence, his counsellor encouraged him to write down things he was grateful for each morning. Although he didn’t follow this exercise consistently, it did help him in some ways. Beyond counselling, Shivam found that self-reflection and meditation were instrumental in his growth.
He participated in Vipassana courses several times over the past five to six years, which helped him build emotional intelligence and acceptance through self-realization, much like a tree growing stronger through the seasons.
“Right after the sessions, I feel validated that I’m not the only one going through these issues. This validation gave me short-term joy and motivated me to keep moving forward and be kind to others.”
In the long term, Shivam’s counselling experience helped him build emotional intelligence and navigate life’s ups and downs with balance, like a tree weathering both storms and sunshine.
“I have deep gratitude to my therapist for her support. The role of a therapist is undervalued and underappreciated, and I am thankful for their dedication.”
Shivam rates himself 4.2 out of 5 in terms of feeling better, and to him, improvement means self-realization, like a river finding its way to the ocean.
His story is proof to the power of therapy and self-reflection. Just as a forest thrives with the proper care and conditions, Shivam has flourished with the guidance of his counsellors and his own perseverance.
We at YourDOST are confident that Shivam is well on his way to achieving his goals and wish him the best in all his future endeavours!
Shivam’s Warrior Tips:
1.“There’s a song called ‘Vienna’ by Billy Joel. A lyric in the song says, ‘Slow down, you crazy child. You’re so ambitious for a juvenile.’”
2.“This applies to many people in their late teens or early 20s. You don’t need to rush into it and be a know-it-all at this age.”
3.“It’s an eventual journey, and everyone finds their way in a few years. Everyone grows at their own pace, like plants in a garden.”
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.
