From the silver jewellery-clad streets of Baroda comes a story of extreme diligence and transformation of a young man who fought his way through life. A poet and writer at heart, he is living proof of the fact that there’s always calm after a stormy night.
Moksh is a 23-year-old who studies Human Resource Management at the Parul University, who led a happy and content life. He was an avid fan of football sessions, but lately, his hectic schedule doesn’t accommodate it as much. He has lately found a new love of playing the mouth organ, as well as enjoying the sounds of the woods by going on trekking and hiking possibleen as he can.
His family consists of his parents and his elder sister, and he has an amazing relationship with them.
“I’m the second child of my parents, and they have been the best parents ever since I was born. I have the best support system and the best lessons of discipline from my father, and for that, I’m forever grateful to him.”
However, Moksh admits that his relationship with his elder sister hasn’t been a bed of roses, and he’s prominently working to better it. He is hopeful that the possible misunderstandings that have barricaded their feelings for each other might dissolve in the coming days.
Even when everything seemed to be going according to Moksh’s plan, he seemed to be amiss of something, and his quest for the answers to his doubts led him to discover the YourDOST platform, which has a partnership with his university as their official mental health partner.
He came to know about YourDOST at a time when he was fighting overwhelming anxiety and feelings of breathlessness that had plagued him since 2018. The pressures of his academic and personal life, along with family issues and a demanding internship, led Moksh to realise that he needed professional help.
“I felt I was drowning. It got to a point where it started to affect my relationships and my academic performance. The breathlessness and the nightmares were just but the tip of an iceberg.
The constant guilt and self-blame further deepened his struggles. Every little thing that went wrong felt like a huge failure, and the tension with his sister only worsened these feelings. The intrusive thoughts of self-harm to himself and nightmares of tragic events were nothing short of terrifying and scary.
Around the last week of March, Moksh had his first session with Ms Aditi Kothari, a counselor from YourDOST. It was a life-changing experience, he says.
“I still remember how relieved I felt. Ms Aditi listened so compassionately, which I had forgotten long ago. For the first time in my life, I felt heard and accepted for who I am without judgment.”
Ms Aditi was not just supportive in her approach but deeply reassuring to Moksh, as he was coming out of his anxiety, addressing nightmares and thoughts of self.
Her words about managing anger, doubtfulness, and taking care of oneself were absolutely assuring for him. Some of the techniques that worked for Moksh included box breathing, maintenance of a correct sleep routine, and engaging in lifestyle changes, which have worked really well for him in uplifting his mental and emotional well-being.
These sessions have been a boon for Moksh has followed every technique that Ms Aditi suggested, be it box breathing or the feelings reveal exercises. He felt comforted by the books she recommended, which brought positive changes in his lifestyle and habits.
“The techniques to control my anger and the advice on taking time to reflect before reacting have been life-changing.”
These practices have helped Moksh manage his anxiety more effectively and approach challenges with a calmer mindset.
Today, Moksh is deeply grateful to Ms. Aditi Kothari.
“She is a wonderful soul. Her empathy, listening skills, and non-judgmental approach made me feel connected and understood. She has been instrumental in helping me navigate my struggles and has truly saved my life.”
Moksh rates his well-being as 5 out of 5 because of the progress he has made with of his counsellor. His journey was a series of seeking help and accepting change, which has been highly positive to him.
With the help and support he received, he found a path of healing and a new hope to move forward. We YourDOST are proud of him for that and hope good things will be coming his way.
Moksh’s Warrior Tips:
1.“Life’s challenges are just phases that you can overpower. It’s ok if you can’t stay strong at all times, but it’s important that you move forward, even if it’s by an inch from where you’re now.”
2.“Surround yourself with good friends and well-wishers. Their support makes all the difference.”
3.“Don’t worry about an unpredictable future; live each present moment, learn from each challenge that shows up in your life.”
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