“Out of difficulties grow miracles.” – Jean de La Bruyère.
Life often feels like a winding path through a forest, with challenges around every corner. These obstacles test our strength, but they also help us grow. Like a ship that sails through the strongest of storms, our greatest strengths come from our most challenging struggles. By embracing these tough times, we can find unexpected miracles and turn life’s obstacles into steps toward a brighter, more fulfilling future.
Shivam Chauhan is a 31-year-old former Team Lead at Allsec Tech. Originally from Dehradun, Uttarakhand, Shivam moved to Bangalore in 2011 to pursue his career. Currently, he works as a lawyer, and he has a legal background.
His hobbies and passions include reading about art and other intriguing ideas. Shivam’s fascination with art is not limited to traditional forms; he appreciates art in all its manifestations, whether mechanical, woodworking, or painting.
“Anything with artistic value interests me. I like to understand things and am deeply passionate about learning more of the universe.”
Shivam’s childhood was relatively quiet and agreeable. He stayed with his parents until he completed his 12th class.
“I can remember as far back as I was three years old. I had a very compliant personality and didn’t cause much trouble for my parents.”
His father recently retired, and while their relationship has been emotionally distant, Shivam shares a close bond with his mother, a housewife.
Shivam was the youngest of three children, and despite their age difference, the siblings shared quite a strong bond. However, Shivam’s journey took a challenging turn during the COVID-19 pandemic, which severely impacted his mental health.
Shivam first heard about YourDOST from his previous organisation, which has a partnership with the platform as their official mental health partner. Here, Shivam chose Ms Krishna Sathyan as his counsellor.
“The counsellor was very welcoming and made me feel comfortable. They gave me space to talk about myself and listened to me wholeheartedly when I pour out my emotions.”
Shivam sought therapy to address a multitude of mental health issues and personal challenges, particularly those related to his relationships and his father.
“There were a lot of issues regarding my mental well-being, and it hit me during COVID. I suffered from bad mental health and still do.”
The pandemic accelerated his struggles with motivation, anger management, and a negative perception of people’s intentions. He faced issues regarding his anxiety and anger and hence turned to therapy for better insights.
“I’ve been dealing with depression and anxiety for over 15, 20 years and recently found out I had ADHD. Nobody told me any of those things. Later in life, I understood that we need a professional to understand nuanced aspects of our life.”
Shivam’s simplicity and complying nature often led to broken relationships, and therapy became a means to reconnect with himself and others. To combat these situations, Shivam’s counsellor suggested various techniques to manage his stress and anxiety.
One significant method to get hold of Shivam’s anxiety and other concerns was journaling.
“My counsellor asked me to write diary entries and list things that bothered me and why.”
This exercise helped Shivam chart his progress and provided clarity before each session. Establishing a routine was another helpful strategy for dealing with his issues. His counsellor also taught him to pause and reflect on his thoughts, particularly when discussing disturbing topics.
“My counsellor made me sit back, take a deep breath, and realise what I had said. It helped me acknowledge my feelings.”
Through these sessions, Shivam experienced positive changes. He felt much lighter and unburdened as if someone could listen. The safe space created by his counsellors allowed Shivam to express himself without the obligation of reciprocation, which he often felt in his personal relationships.
“I would like to appreciate both my counsellors, Diksha and Krishna. They helped me become a better person and gave me hope. I’m a hyper-individualist, but they supported me, and I’m deeply grateful for them.”
Shivam rates himself a 4.5 out of 5 in terms of feeling better. Improvement, to him, means progressing even 1% more than the previous day. His journey underscores the importance of seeking help and the value of professional guidance.
We at YourDOST are confident that Shivam is just moments away from achieving his goals, and we wish him luck in all his future endeavours!
Shivam’s Warrior Tips:
1.“Don’t hesitate to reach out. Shivam emphasises the importance of professional support as someone who took a long time to accept the need for help.”
2.“Engage in meaningful dialogues. Acknowledge the need for constructive back-and-forth rather than mere acknowledgement.”
3.“Treat mental health issues with the same seriousness as physical ailments. Just as a broken leg requires medical attention, so does a troubled mind.”
Are you someone who has gone through a difficult phase and emerged stronger and better, with some professional help? Share your story with us to encourage thousands of others who might be struggling. Click here to submit your story.
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