Have you ever imagined what it’d be like walking through an enchanted forest in a fairy tale, where every step brings unexpected trials and mysterious creatures?
We’re all on a similar journey, hoping to find our way out of the dark woods and into the light. We experience joy, sorrow, friendship, and loneliness along the way. These moments reveal our true strength and resilience. Sometimes, we only need a little guidance to light our path and help us find our own happily ever after.
Tarun is a 23-year-old who completed his B.Tech from Ajay Kumar Garg Engineering College.
Tarun lives with his parents, younger sister, and their beloved dog in Noida, where he works as an associate software engineer. His family, including his little sister and parents, provided a supportive environment for him at home, making his childhood joyful and less stressful.
Tarun had an incredible and carefree childhood. As a good student, he enjoyed the simplicity of life, engaging more in video games than physical activities.
“I used to play console games since there were no phones back then, and there wasn’t much tension. I was free to do whatever I wanted without thinking twice,”
Tarun first came to hear about YourDOST from his college, which has a partnership with his organisation as their official mental health partner.
Tarun needed to talk to someone who could understand his situation, so he sought help through therapy. Although, unfortunately, he doesn’t remember his counsellor’s name, their impact on him was profound.
The reason for Tarun seeking therapy arose from a breakup that left him devastated. Tarun and his partner had been seeing each other for quite a while. Suddenly, one fine day, his partner stopped returning his calls and talking to him, which led to a silent separation Tarun had not anticipated.
“When I took therapy for the first time, it was because of a girl who broke up with me. It wasn’t an official breakup; she stopped talking and communicated less.”
This lack of closure led to a state of deep despair as he didn’t know the reason why the girl maintained her distance. He could not analyse his overwhelming emotions and found himself in a state of panic. This is when Tarun thought about reaching out to YourDOST for support.
“I went through a roller coaster of emotions and feelings which led me to make the call to YourDOST. I felt like there was no solution left, and even waiting for the sessions felt unbearable to me.”
The emotional toll of the breakup was accelerated when he recently shifted to a new flat, where loneliness and overthinking became overwhelming. “I was broken,” he shares, describing the depths of his despair.
Turning to YourDOST for help was Tarun’s way of coping with the situation. He didn’t wait any longer and sought help as and when he could.
During his therapy sessions, Tarun learned several techniques to manage his stress and anxiety. One of the most effective was the grounding technique, the 54321 method, which helped him focus on the present moment.
Additionally, box breathing and deep breathing exercises provided him with tools to calm his mind during moments of intense anxiety.
“These techniques helped me get through tough times. I also started practising meditation and yoga, which brought a sense of peace and stability.”
Through these practices, he found a way to cope with his emotions and regain control over his thoughts. Even though gradual, the positive changes in Tarun’s mindset were evident.
“Sometimes I cried a lot in loneliness, but then I would focus on my brain and question why I was crying. I realised there was no reason to feel that way.”
Therapy sessions helped him understand his emotions and brought about a significant shift in his perspective. He began to question and analyse his emotions better and started feeling more in control of his mental health.
“Talking about my concerns and sharing opinions helped me figure things out much more easily. My counsellor engaged in interactive sessions with me, which helped me feel comfortable about talking about my issues.”
Tarun expresses his heartfelt gratitude to his therapists, who helped him immensely in his life journey.
“All the therapists are extremely knowledgeable and dedicated to helping me out. I’ve been in therapy for the past 4 to 5 years, and their passion and dedication to me and my questions have been incredible.”
In terms of feeling better, Tarun rates himself a 4 out of 5, noting that the improvement has been substantial.
“I feel happier, and my mind has started diverting itself from negative thoughts. After the sessions, I feel totally changed.”
Today, Tarun is a changed person with a hopeful and happy outlook towards life. He was deeply inspired by the logo of YourDOST and has even incorporated it into his Instagram handle, which reads YourPAL (a combination of Tarun Pal and YourDOST)!
We at YourDOST are proud of Tarun and his journey. We are honoured that he feels inspired by us, and wish him luck in all his future endeavours!
Tarun’s Warrior Tips:
1.“Understand that your struggles are temporary, and better times will come.”
2.“Remember the phrase, “This too shall pass,” and maintain a positive outlook.”
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.
