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 ...

I think one of the most important things I have learned till now is to forgive myself. I have learnt to not hold a grudge against myself. Always remember, even if all the people in this world are against you, you stay by side of yourself. No matter how difficult things get, remember you have Him who loves you more than anything else in this world. I sometimes think people see me as a boring girl, who isn't really outspoken and is awkward but you know what, I don't really care about it now. Yes, I don't run around and have fun. Yes, my idea of fun is sitting down with people who are the closest to me and talk about memories, Kpop, and deep things instead of talking about boys and relationships. Yes, I get awkward talking to guys. But at the end of the day, this is me. I can put on a mask that's the same as everyone else but I have to take it off eventually when the night falls. If God wanted me to be like them, He would've already made me like them. I believe t...

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 ...

Some may say I live a crazy life because I don’t live the way others do. I don’t dream the way others do. Happiness has a different meaning to me. My idea of success does not match with others. I believe in enjoying life and living the way I want to rather than planning every next step. Future haunts me. I don’t try to control my future. I don’t have any plans for my future. I don’t study hard. I am always nagged by my family.  Growing up, I thought how great it would be to become a teenager. Well, I’ll just say it isn’t what I expected. When I thought about my teen years, I always imagined a happy, young and free me. Not a manipulated-by-the-societal-expectations me. It is so hypocritical of people. They first tell us to live life the way we want to and do what you love and then, they frown upon our decisions. They say “be you” and then, judge us. I thought future was something to be excited about, despite of not being aware of what is ahead. I thought the main goal in life ...

Sit back and ask yourself, why are you doing what you are doing? Is it for yourself or is it for others. see, I believe its good to make others happy but you should not do that at the cost of making yourself suffer. You don’t have to put on a mask just to make those around you happy. Its not your job to make everyone happy. however, its your duty to take care of your soul. Do what you feel like you need to. If you’re feeling down, you don’t have to force yourself into going out. spend time with yourself, maybe watch a movie. Don’t worry about how they will feel if you cancel the plan. If they really care about you, they will understand. I am the type of person that would sacrifice my well being just because it makes people happy. I have always done that because I thought I was helping others. But you know what, that just degraded me because I started feeling attached to them and having those expectations of them.  I used to pretend to be happy when really I was depressed. ...

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 ...

Its discouraging when you see your friends, cousins and even your siblings having big goals and working hard to achieve them whereas you are just moving along life. One thing you should know- It is completely okay to not have goals and dreams. You'll get them when the time is right. I believe everyone has a purpose. Remember you are here for a reason. The same God who made this earth and all the beautiful creatures in it, had the thought of creating you so He must have had a valid reason for it. He didn't create you just because He was bored, now did he? of course not. You need to understand that. You might not know what your purpose is in life right now and that is totally fine. Some people get their goals at a young age while some at an older age. I am 16 right now. At this age, Jeon Jungkook debuted as a member of BTS (a South Korean boyband which now has global domination). He found his purpose at a really young age and started working towards it and eventually...