This is a story, which may seem like a typical narrative of someone climbing the corporate ladder. However, it’s one of self-discovery and courage that helped our protagonist learn himself better.
Varun is a 30-year-old who worked as a Technical Lead at UpGrad, which he earned with a lot of effort. However, before learning more about his life, let’s go back in search of his very roots.
Varun grew up in Satna, which is a small city in Madhya Pradesh. His childhood taught him the value of tradition and the quiet pace of small-town life.
The city is the home to his values and way of thinking as he grew up. He grew up in a typical Indian household where the fathers are the stoic, tough figures, and the mothers nurtured at home.
“I used to be close to my mom always, but in the last couple of years, it has changed. I’ve grown to understand my dad more.”
As Varun grew up and faced new challenges, he began to understand his father better. Hence, he was in a better position to learn from his dad’s experiences.
“Now, I’m trying to get into those stages he has been through. We talked more and I understand his concerns. He opens up to me in ways he didn’t before.”
Varun’s career graph was different from a typical straight line. It started in Pune, where he stayed for three years before moving to Mumbai and eventually Bangalore. On the way, he picked up new hobbies like dancing and weight training, and he started liking tech blogging, too. However, life had its own demands, keeping him busy at the cost of his hobbies.
Inconsistency reflected throughout his career and personal life. The challenging world of tech leadership, combined with the challenges of the pandemic, created an environment where Varun juggled multiple responsibilities.
His time at UpGrad was exciting and tiring at the same time. His job gave him everything he needed when the pandemic was at its height, and people wanted to work from their homes. He heard of YourDOST here, as they partnered with the organisation as their official mental health partner.
“Working in UpGrad was a short journey of just six months, but I made a name for myself there. I was pulled into important meetings, and the management trusted me.”
However, one fine day, a call from Adobe threw him into a tornado of questioning himself and dilemma. Though he was not actively pursuing that, when the call came along, a series of questions knocked with it.
“I wasn’t even preparing for an interview, but I decided to go through the process to see how it would feel. With each round, I cracked the interview.”
The more the offers came in, the more the dilemma set in. He loved his role in UpGrad, feeling valued and impactful, but then again, it was the top-of-the-line company called Adobe, and its prestige is known worldwide. It was not an easy decision, and those choices weighed heavily on him.
“It was not about the money or the position. I wanted to experience a company like Adobe, but at the same time, I felt fulfilled at UpGrad. It was a real dilemma.”
It was during this period he turned to YourDOST for guidance, where he met his counsellor, which proved to be invaluable.
“I reached out because I needed clarity. My counsellor helped me understand that sometimes, it’s not about ticking boxes. It’s about living experiences you’ve always wondered about.”
Her advice struck a chord which made him realise that if he doesn’t explore the opportunity at Adobe, it would remain a question in the back of his mind. He needed this push to move forward.
He finally gave in to his curiosity and joined Adobe for work. He was not only concerned about his professional life but also about his personal experiences, particularly in relationships. He was walking down the lane of matrimony and sought advice for the same as well.
“Some moments made me wonder whether I was making the right choices in relationships or in life. My counsellor reminded me that it was fine to have expectations, and also hopes and dreams.”
These conversations taught Varun the process of giving himself confidence and viewing challenges in life as opportunities for growth. Now, he looks back on those moments of uncertainty as a time for which he is grateful.
“I don’t remember my counsellor’s name, but she was exactly what I needed at that time. She related to my experiences more than anybody and taught me the importance of trusting my heart and going with the opportunities that life throws at me. I’m forever grateful to her for that.”
Varun’s story is not about huge transformations or drastic changes; it’s about little, significant choices that have brought him to the position where he is right now. He rates himself 4 out of 5 as to feeling better and visualises this improvement as being a better version of himself each day.
We at YourDOST are thrilled that we could be a part of Varun’s journey and wish him all the best for the future!
Varun’s Warrior Tips:
1.“Don’t hesitate to seek help when you’re feeling lost.”
2.“Sometimes, just talking things out brings clarity, and that’s all you need to move forward.”
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