There can be situations in life which can be extremely tricky and make you think everything differently. These situations can be both good and bad, but if it is bad, then looking for a supporting hand is the most courageous thing you can do.
This is the story of Srushti Rane, a 23-year-old full-stack software developer working at a startup.
Talking about her childhood, Srushti remembers how she and her family were facing financial constraints which were a constant source of worry for them.
“Even when facing multiple challenges my parents were the best anyone could ever have and my relationship with them was filled with love and care. Although they were often overprotective, I didn’t mind because I knew how much I meant to them”.
Srushti recalls having some sort of a barrier in her personality that prevented her from forming deep friendships during her school years. By the time she reached her 12th standard, she realised she hadn’t developed any close bonds.
“My hobbies include painting, reading, sketching, listening to songs, and even singing at times!”
These varied hobbies showcase her creative side and provide her with a much-needed escape from daily stresses.
Srushti first heard about YourDOST through Katalyst India, an NGO that supports science and engineering students lacking financial support. Katalyst India has an official collaboration with YourDOST as their mental health partner, and Srushti, being a beneficiary student, was able to take advantage of this resource.
“I met my counsellor, Ms Kousalya Konila on the platform and she left a strong first impression on me with her calm demeanour and genuine willingness to listen. She provided me with a space that helped me create a bond of trust and pushed me to say out the things that bothered me.”
The reason for Srushti approaching therapy was the passing of her grandmother a year ago. This loss triggered intense anxiety about her parents’ well-being.
“I used to wake up at night to check on them, and touch them to see if they are ok, and it became an obsession for me which started to interfere with my daily routine and work.”
She realised that this change in herself wasn’t right, and decided to seek help to understand and manage her anxiety.
“Ms Kousalya introduced me to various techniques to cope with my anxiety. One of the key techniques was progressive muscle relaxation, which is done by tensing and then relaxing different muscle groups.”
Meditation was another helpful tool and she also suggested that Srushti take regular walks to have some time away from home, providing a mental break.
Gradually, Srushti began to notice a significant reduction in the tension she carried in her left shoulder, which had been a source of pain for her. This was because of her consistent practice of relaxation techniques. Journaling was another strategy that Ms Kousalya recommended to her and found it effective.
“Kousalya helped me identify issues I couldn’t pinpoint on my own. I began to track my thoughts and moods with journalling and gradually gained better insight. Initially, I struggled a bit but with continued support from Kousaly and additional techniques from her, I saw considerable improvement in myself.”
Srushti now rates herself a 4 out of 5 in terms of feeling better. She has learned that more than just obtaining solutions, it is essential to have someone to talk to without any filters.
At YourDOST, we believe she is well on her way to reaching her full potential, and we wish her all the best in her future endeavours!
Srushti’s Warrior Tips:
1.“Try to be in the present as much as possible when facing mental challenges.”
2.“Meditation can be incredibly beneficial. Srushti had practised meditation since college, and despite life’s many distractions, she found it essential to return to this practice.”
Team YourDOST
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