Life is like a colourful mosaic of many experiences, each showing how strong we can be when faced with tough times. This journey isn’t easy; it’s for those brave enough to face their deepest fears and come out with a better understanding of who they are. Along the way, an unexpected source of support, like a guiding light, helps them through the darkest times and the brightest moments, leading them to personal victory and peace.
Garima is a 30-year-old vibrant student pursuing a PG Diploma at Anant National University. Originally from Delhi, life has been tumultuous enough for them. However, they have been a warrior in the battle of life.
Garima’s childhood was marked by illness, which left them physically and emotionally drained. Despite their health struggles, they discovered a passion for speaking.
“I was a good speaker, that is one thing I remember about myself from childhood.”
Garima had the power of articulating their thoughts better and speaking about them from their early childhood days. Growing up, they were a curious child, always eager to learn and explore.
“I was very inquisitive and wanted to know things in as much detail as possible.”
Today, they continue to seek new experiences, enjoy conversations with people, explore new places, and taste different cuisines.
Garima first heard about YourDOST from their college, which partners with the organisation as their official mental health partner. They needed someone to understand their situation, so they chose Shruthi Singhal as their counsellor.
Garima never met Shruthi face-to-face because they connected during COVID-19; since there were online sessions, they always talked to her by phone.
“Shruthi came across as a professional who cared about me as another individual because there were times when I had to connect her to my psychiatrist, and she readily agreed to it.”
Garima’s relationship with their family is like walking on thin ice. Their unresolved issues have added layers to their struggles, making their journey even more challenging. Hence, looking for support was organic for them, and Garima is a firm believer in the power of therapy. They started therapy at the age of 20, and it has become a crucial part of their life.
“Without a therapist holding an anchor to me, I would not be able to function as an individual as I have a lot of racing thoughts in my mind. Therapy holds a mirror to you. It keeps you grounded and lets you take a deep peek inside yourself.”
Several traumatic experiences mark Garima’s past, and they have been the villains of their life. They are a brave survivor of sexual abuse, which is a scar that stays on with them as proof of their courage. They live with invisible disabilities, including bipolar disorder, PTSD, and ADHD, and these conditions have hampered Garima’s mental well-being. These conditions have shaped their thinking and sometimes driven also them to extremes.
“In this world, not everything is stark right or wrong, and there is a grey area that people hesitate to go into. Therapy helps me move back to the grey area and not make me only go into the black and white of every aspect. “
Their conversations flowed into the deep trenches of mental health and emotional aspects of a human being. Garima realised facts about their life that weren’t visible till now, and therapy helped them bring out the version of her that was brushed under the carpet long back.
They gradually got into the tips and tricks of how to get back to the rollercoaster of life with the right techniques and get the best out of their sessions together.
During their sessions, Shruthi used various techniques to help Garima manage their stress and anxiety. She introduced them to visualisation techniques and other methods to help them analyse their thoughts.
“Shruthi used to help me visualise what I wanted to see. She used to give me suggestions and make me think on the flip side of my thoughts. She helped me see the what-ifs of my journey and gave me the space to choose the best option for myself.”
These strategies offered a third-person perspective on their problems, helping them explore different ways of thinking. Seeking therapy has made a significant impact on Garima’s life by helping them hunt down the invisible and hypothetic villains of their life with the weapon of mental well-being.
“I was able to complete my fellowship without completely having a breakdown because of my therapist. Everybody was in lockdown. I was stuck with my family and didn’t get along very well with them. It was a very rough time, but having support from my therapist helped me a lot.”
Today, Garima expresses heartfelt gratitude to their therapist and shares their gratitude towards their counsellors for showing the appreciation and consideration they needed the most at the time.
“I would just like to thank them for being there when I wasn’t there for me. I am a polyamorous person, and I had a breakup with two people. At that time, I needed a session, and though we did not have one scheduled, Shruthi made time for me. She booked the session on my behalf, which was important for me then.”
In terms of feeling better, Garima rates themself 3 out of 5. For them, improvement means movement—progress in any direction. They believe therapy has been a crucial tool in their journey of self-discovery and healing.
We at YourDOST are confident that Garima is well on their way to achieving their goals, and we wish them the best in all their future endeavours!
Garima’s Warrior Tips:
1.“Therapy is a strong process, and it takes a lot to be in therapy and face your demons.”
2.“Don’t let people mock you for going into therapy. It’s for anyone who wants to improve their communication and self-understanding.
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.
