Sometimes, life can feel unfair when juggling too many things at once. This story is about finding balance and strength in personal and professional struggles. Set in a small town in West Bengal, it follows a young scholar who loves capturing nature through his lenses and is new to the ups and downs of newlywed life. Through the whirlwind of uncertainty, our warrior learns the importance of seeking help, which shows us all the power of finding support and staying positive whatever may come.
Vyomkesh (name changed) is a 31-year-old PhD student scholar at the prestigious IISER Kolkata. Growing up in a small town in West Bengal, his life is proof of his journey of overcoming personal and professional challenges and finding his path.
Vyomkesh’s childhood was eventful, marked by playful times and cherished moments with his family. As the youngest of three brothers, with a significant age gap of twelve years from his elder sibling, he experienced a unique dynamic.
“My childhood was fun, with lots of play and family time. My elder brothers were more of a guardian than a friend to me, but we had a lot of fun.”
Throughout his life, Vyomkesh has always been connected to nature. His hobbies are mainly related to nature and bring him immense joy.
“I started pursuing photography, especially nature photography, when I joined college. I love hills and mountains, going for treks or nature trails.”
Despite having a great childhood and passions, the intricacies and stressors of adulthood caught up with him, and he sought therapy.
Vyomkesh first heard about YourDOST from his college, which partners with the organisation as their official mental health partner.
He needed to talk to someone who could understand his situation, so Vyomkesh chose Ms Bindushree as his counsellor.
“Bindushree is extremely empathetic and a great listener. I felt relieved and started trusting her as she seemed the perfect fit.”
Vyomkesh’s reason for seeking therapy stemmed from professional and personal life challenges. For two people in love, marriage is a time of knowing each other more and fitting into each other’s lives like a glove. However, for some, there can be some hiccups along the way that get resolved mostly with time. Vyomkesh was recently married, and he faced some misunderstandings with his wife, leading to stress and anxiety.
“My wife has anxiety issues, and I also had to deal with the consequences of those issues. It was hampering both of our mental peace.”
This was one of many sources of his stress. Vyomkesh was also under immense pressure from his PhD journey. The anxiousness of presenting the thesis, and being reviewed on years of hard work, can be a source of stress for promising scholars and budding researchers and the same was the case with Vyomkesh.
“I was about to finish my PhD and faced many professional difficulties regarding my work and my mentor at the university.”
The uncertainty about his future, combined with delays in the review processes from his supervisors, added to his anxiety.
“I was overwhelmed. It was hard for me, as I was stuck in issues with the two important women in my life, my wife and supervisor, which made my life difficult.”
Balancing his academic and personal life was a monumental challenge, causing him stress and headaches. It gave him unwanted anxiety, and he reached a breaking point where he could not go any further and thus turned to therapy.
Initially, he was sceptical about opening up about his concerns to a third person, but gradually, Vyomkesh came along. From being stressed and not knowing what to do in the near future, he diverted his energies into seeking therapy and learning techniques to bring his anxiety under control.
During his sessions with Bindushree, Vyomkesh learned several techniques to manage his stress and anxiety. One such technique was the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding method, which helped him stay present during his anxious times.
“She also introduced me to positive affirmations and encouraged me to praise myself for handling things well. These affirmations greatly impacted me as I began valuing myself better than before.”
Vyomkesh found venting his feelings without judgment very impactful. Talking about his concerns and sharing opinions helped him figure things out more quickly.
“My counsellor engaged in interactive sessions, making me comfortable discussing my issues. It wasn’t about finding the perfect solution, but about having someone listen to you without judgment.”
Vyomkesh noticed positive changes in his handling of situations. Applying the techniques he learnt during his therapy sessions to his life, he learned to see life more positively and handle situations more practically. This newfound positivity has helped him navigate his challenges with more resilience and hope.
“I express my heartfelt gratitude to Bindushree for the support I received. She was a wonderful person and a great listener. Her empathy and dedication made a significant difference.”
In terms of feeling better, Vyomkesh rates himself as a 4 out of 5. For him, improvement means becoming a better version of oneself, and he believes that the journey of self-discovery and growth is ongoing forever.
We at YourDOST are confident that Vyomkesh is on the right path and wish him luck in all his future endeavours!
Vyomkesh’s Warrior Tips:
1.“If your family, friends, or loved ones are causing you stress, try to open up and talk to them about your difficulties. They might understand you better than you think.”
2.“If talking to loved ones isn’t an option, seek help from professional counsellors who can support you.”
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