Life can be a mix of beauty and terror, much like the quote from Jojo Rabbit: “Let everything happen to you, beauty and terror. Just keep going because no feeling is final.”
This quote captures the sentiments of moving forward through life’s ups and downs and reminds us that even the darkest moments can lead to personal growth and resilience.
Piya (name changed) is a 22-year-old student pursuing an Integrated BBA and MBA at the prestigious IIM Indore. She never had one hometown and lived in five different cities during her childhood due to her parent’s job. After spending her childhood in a different city, she moved to Madhya Pradesh for higher studies.
“The relationship that I share with my parents, with my household isn’t the best I would say. My dad’s very misogynistic, so I grew up in a very silent household where I was always on eggshells. This tense environment shaped my view when I entered college and began a new chapter in my life.”
She used to be close to her mother, but over time, she grew distant from all her family members. She talks to her brother sometimes, and to her parents as well, but she is not close to anyone.
“Over time I learned how to paint, draw, dance, and also trained in Hindustani vocal classical music. However, the two hobbies that stuck with me are reading and classical music.”
During her college years, Piya learned about YourDOST through her institution’s partnership with the organization. Here she met her counsellor, Ms Madhura Saha, with whom she connected for like two and a half years.
“She asked me to pick one issue and start from there instead of worrying about everything at once. This method helped me a lot, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when my mental health was at its lowest.”
The main reason Piya sought counselling was that she noticed her own toxic behaviours in her relationship. She could see herself being the red flag, and she knew it came from childhood wounds which had never been addressed. This realization led her to work on her self-esteem and self-love.
“Living at home during the pandemic was stressful as my home environment wasn’t the best, with constant outbursts happening every day.”
Madhura helped her manage these challenges by teaching her emotional management techniques and helping her accept her feelings. One technique Madhura suggested was taking life one day at a time.
“Whenever I worried about future tasks, she advised me to focus on today. Another helpful technique was the sensory 54321 method for calming anxiety which helped me immensely over the course of time.”
Piya had an anxious attachment style but, through therapy, she developed a more secure attachment style in her romantic relationships. She feels as having better control over her emotions and is more accepting of her thoughts, avoiding self-criticism.
“I would like to express my immense gratitude to Ms Madhura as she raised my confidence. When I told her I felt undeserving of my good friends and amazing partner, she asked why I felt this way. Today, I no longer feel undeserving and my outlook on life has completely changed”
Piya rates herself a 4 out of 5 in terms of feeling better. For her, improvement means constant growth, even if it’s just a small percentage.
Her journey shows the power of self-discovery and the profound impact of seeking help, and we at YourDOST could not be more proud of her journey.
We wish her all the best for her future!
Piya’s Warrior Tips:
1.“”Let everything happen to you, beauty and terror. Just keep going because no feeling is final,” a quote from the movie Jojo Rabbit. She recommends watching the movie to grasp its essence fully.”
2.“When it feels like the end of the world, it’s not really the end. It’s just another emotion, and you are strong enough to deal with it.”
