From an early age, we are all trained to do well in our professional lives, with the best institutes to learn in, recent syllabuses that support the growing world, the best faculties, etc. However, we always miss out on teaching and learning the basics of treating people respectfully, mindful living, and focusing on the present day. Understanding the beauty of showing respect, being patient, and learning life’s soft skills makes us the human beings we all aspire to be.
Meet Sidharth Panda, a 22-year-old vibrant engineering student pursuing his bachelor’s at Parul University.
He was born and raised in the coastal state of Odisha and currently lives in the heart and capital of India, Delhi. Sidharth’s life is filled with his love for studies, passions, and personal growth. Today, he has a story to tell the world, which has chapters on patience, self-improvement, and healing.
Sidharth loves to explore the latest technology trends and is particularly interested in artificial intelligence (AI).
“I’m always curious about what’s new in the tech world. I feel drawn to dive into whatever becomes the buzz and the trend.”
However, beneath this thirst for knowledge and an upcoming techie, there is a young man who’s more than tech-savvy. He’s someone with a solid connection to his family and a determination to grow as a person.
Sidharth grew up in a family where both parents were academic toppers. They taught him the importance of a solid educational background, aiding his progress. Hence, the foundation of his personality was built on discipline and dedication.
“My parents were both exceptional students, which pushed me to stay focused on my studies from a young age.”
From an early age, we are made to learn about the outer world and not about our own inner selves. Like many young adults, Sidharth found himself dealing with emotions that he wasn’t fully equipped to handle on his own.
He was in a relationship with his partner, whom he loved and cared for the most in the world. However, unfortunately, on a rough day, Sidharth gave into an emotional outburst that did not turn out well. He had a difficult argument with his girlfriend, which triggered a wave of anger he couldn’t control.
“I said things I didn’t mean. I didn’t want to say something bad to my girlfriend, but I knew my words were hurtful. It was a wake-up call, and I realised I needed to change.”
This realisation led Sidharth to seek help from the YourDOST mental health platform that partners with his college. Though he was hesitant at first, Sidharth decided to give it a try, nevertheless, which is when he met his counsellor, Ms Navya Chauhan. Sidharth’s initial scepticism about therapy quickly faded once he met Ms Navya.
“I heard about YourDOST through my university, and it seemed like the right place to find guidance. At first, I wasn’t sure how therapy worked. I thought the counsellor might be biased or not fully understanding me, but I was wrong.”
Sidharth was in awe of his counsellor’s words and described her as professional and focused in her work. She was solution-oriented and helped him understand his problems without taking sides.
We have all heard that seeking therapy is a work in progress, and it takes days or even months to get on the right track. Therapy isn’t just having conversations but working on oneself with activities and techniques that help accelerate the whole process.
Ms Navya introduced Sidharth to simple yet effective techniques to manage his anger. She taught him to take deep breaths and to pause and analyse several times before he lets out words from his mouth.
“It’s amazing how something so simple can make such a big difference. I started practising it, being mindful of what I speak, and it truly helped me calm down during stressful situations.”
Over time, these sessions brought about significant changes in Sidharth’s behaviour. He has bettered himself to the point that now, whenever a tense moment arises, he responds calmly instead of reacting impulsively. Today, he feels confident in his skin and is courageous enough to face any obstacle that life throws on his path. Sidharth has merged into the positive environment that his counsellor built for him and is thriving in the new space with his newfound skills.
“Even Ms Navya noticed the improvement and was happy with my progress.”
Their regular check-ins have become a source of strength for him, with each conversation reinforcing the positive habits he’s been developing. With Ms Navya’s support, Sidharth’s approach to life has transformed.
“I feel more mature now in ways I did not know earlier. I’ve learned to express myself in ways that don’t hurt others, and I’m mindful of my words.”
Sidharth also acknowledges how procrastination was a significant issue before therapy. He admits that he used to delay things a lot, but after talking to Ms Navya, his actions have had the colour of discipline. He acknowledges that he has started forming good habits that helped him reduce his procrastinating tendencies and improve his life.
Sidharth’s journey reminds him of the lessons from the Mahabharata, where Arjun sought the help of Lord Krishna at a crucial time during the battle.
“Arjun was powerful and intelligent, but even he needed Krishna’s guidance to stay on the right path. I feel like Ms Navya played that role in my life. Listening to someone who truly understands and cares can change how you feel and understand things.”
Today, as Sidharth looks back upon his journey and measures his progress, he is overwhelmed by gratitude. He never misses a chance to express his deep appreciation for Ms Navya and her unwavering support.
“I’ve often told her how thankful I am, but she always humbly says it’s just her duty. She helped me understand what’s good for me and what’s not and encouraged me to follow the right path. I knew these things deep down, but her guidance made me put them into practice.”
In his own words, Sidharth rates his progress at a solid 4.5 out of 5.
“I’m proud of how far I’ve come, but I know there’s always room for growth.”
With his new habits and mindset, Sidharth is ready to take on whatever challenges life throws his way, one deep breath at a time. As Sidharth continues his studies and his journey with artificial intelligence, he does so with a clearer mind and a stronger heart, ready to face whatever challenges come his way. He has learnt the magic of the therapy and has cast a spell on himself to emerge as his best version!
Hence, he is not just a student or a tech enthusiast; he is a YourDOST Warrior who stands victorious in the battle for self-love and self-improvement!
Sidharth’s Warrior Tips:
1.“Feel free to seek professional support when you need it. Sometimes, just talking to someone can make all the difference.”
2.“Every situation will pass, and sometimes, overreacting to situations might worsen things, so try to remain calm and not judge others harshly.”
3.“To heal and grow, you must first take care of yourself. Self-love is the foundation of self-improvement.”
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.
