Stigma

In this hustle culture, we as a society have made the idea of 'having stress' as something admirable. Having a lot of things in our hands, having a busy schedule. Since when did it become the new 'cool', the new 'successful'?  Many people may deny this but if you give long, serious thought to this, you'll realize that it is true. People talk about wanting a peaceful life but how is it possible until they stop making stress and being busy their USP. Until they stop showing off and bragging about it.  The cases of depression, anxiety, and other thought disorders saw a huge peak during the lockdown period. Why? Because they finally got a tranquil environment to live in?  Or because maybe we are too focused on our persona, on how we want other people to perceive us, and not on how we are as a person.  Now, who do we prove ourselves to?  I'm not saying that you should just sit idle in your room watching Grey's anatomy but just a plea - Can we please stop ...

Sometimes the world and the society convinces me that I’m wrong for the way I think, for the way I believe in things, for the way I love. There are days when these comments fill up my head making me feel disappointed with myself. I start pointing out flaws in myself and eventually get depressed and anxious about my entire existence. I begin overthinking. I begin doing things that I wouldn’t normally do to please others. I begin hating myself. I begin feeling as though I’m living a ‘wrong’ life. These opinions of the people and the society start messing with my thoughts and my faith. However, I try to remind myself that- this is MY life. I am not supposed to follow others’ path or others’ way of living. It doesn’t matter if I don’t have determined goals. It doesn’t matter if I fail to make everyone like me. It isn’t necessary for me to fulfill others’ desires. It doesn’t matter if my definition of a happy life is different than others. It doesn’t matter if I am better or worse than ...

I feel myself changing. You ever felt that. Its like I am two complete different people and I don’t know which one is the real me. One of it wants to get work done, study,  go out, work towards my goals, be productive. But the other one makes me feel worthless and disappointed in myself every time I try to do something. Its true anxiety and depression make the worst combination. I have no control of whats going on. I know some people might have it worse than me but that does not make my pain any less valid. It feels like an endless circle of weakness, sadness, disappointment and worthlessness. I cant tell if its killing me or making me stronger. I always try to control things but it ends up controlling me. I should stop just let go of things that I cant control and give it all to Him. And so should y’all. I’m the person who talks people into self-love. I truthfully assure everyone how wonderful they are, because I don’t want people to feel the way I do right now. I unintentiona...

Life is unpredictable. No one, absolutely no one can tell you how long you are going to live. Maybe 5 years. Maybe 5 months. Maybe 5 days. Maybe 5 hours or even 5 minutes. So you see, there is no expiry date given with life. Its a matter of surprise for all of us. But I will give you a spoiler, we will all die at some point. So, no matter how long you live, remember to live, not just survive.  Our generation is so focused on the future that we forget about the time that is passing now. I know its cliché but think about it. Its good to plan ahead of time but we are so engrossed in the future that we forget the things we have now. The people we have now. You might have a long life but some of the people around you won’t. Your parents, your grandparents, your aunts, uncles, etc wont be here for as long as you will be. Its hurtful but its true. They have limited time. Even few people you expect to be here forever won’t be there cerebrating your success later in your life. So, be th...

Growing up, we are expected to look a certain way, behave a certain way and even live a certain way. These expectations from the society are one of the root causes of mental illness. We are told to take the same path in our lives. Study, get good grades, top in our classes, get into a renowned university, get the degree, get a job, get married, have kids, and then die.  Its not wrong to take this path or go with the flow but its wrong to live your life just because it fulfils people’s expectations.  Your life is your story so there is no wrong or right way. Our society instils this in our minds that you having unrecognisable jobs is wrong, you not maintaining that 4.0 GPA is wrong, you living a different way is wrong.  When in fact, these things are the things the society wants you to do. You try to find happiness from fulfilling these expectations but the only way to find happiness is doing what you are really passionate about even though it does not fit the mould ...

You know that feeling when you feel like everything's falling apart, you feel worthless out of nowhere and even the smallest things get to you? even the closest people don't understand it so you can't blame yourself for it. I think this battle with yourself starts when you start focusing on people more than you focus on God. Let's talk about my story now. I have anxiety. I have had it since the past two years. I struggle with it everyday but I hesitate to talk to someone about it mainly because I am afraid of what people will think about it. I just have this mentality that people will judge me and treat me differently after knowing about my mental illness. And I am sure some of you reading would be able to relate to this. But you know what, I have started a new way that helps me live my life much better. I have started letting go of things that I can't control. And it may be difficult for people like me who overthink every single thing in life but gradually y...