“Face the new challenges of life” 13 April 2025

DG

Q. I am a 24-year-old student from Raipur. I have recently moved away from home for the first time for work. Although I am excited about starting this new chapter in my life, I feel lonely and disconnected at times. I am facing trouble making friends, and often feel anxious in social settings. I spend most of my time alone, scrolling through social media, which leaves me feeling even more isolated and self-critical when comparing my life to others’. I have actually started to question whether I belong to this new environment or not because this is affecting my appetite as well as I’m experiencing a lot of mood swings. Can you please help me with this?

Ans. What you are experiencing is a common challenge associated with life transitions—particularly moving to a new place and starting a new chapter. Feelings of loneliness, social anxiety, and self-doubt are natural in such circumstances. These are not signs of mental illness, but rather emotional responses to change and uncertainty. Building social connections takes time, and it can help to take small, manageable steps toward engaging with others. We might also explore strategies to manage social comparison, set realistic expectations, and cultivate self-compassion. You may come for a session since talking about these feelings can be beneficial in management of your emotions.

SP

Q. I have a colleague who is a 42-year-old working parent. She is feeling overwhelmed by the demands of daily life. She is juggling between a full-time job, caring for two young children, managing household responsibilities, and trying to maintain relationships with extended family. She often feels guilty for not being able to give enough time to each role and constantly feels exhausted. Although she’s not necessarily sad or anxious, she describes feeling emotionally drained, irritable, and as though she’s “running on autopilot.” The other day, she started crying without any apparent reason and that’s when I realised things might be getting out of hand. I really want to help her as I fear all this is adversely affecting her health. Please guide on what can be done.

Ans. You are doing a great job by addressing the signs you have observed in your colleague and wanting to help her out. This situation reflects symptoms of prolonged stress and burnout, which are very common in individuals who carry multiple responsibilities. The emotional exhaustion, irritability, and feelings of inadequacy are signs that her health is being affected and she is unable to manage it anymore. Small changes in routine and mindset can help improve her well-being. Bring her for a session where we can work on stress management techniques, boundary-setting, and self-care strategies to restore balance and prevent burnout.

KS

Q. I am a 15 year- old girl, currently in standard tenth. My parents are quite strict when it comes to my studies and I have been consistent with my studies, but they keep demotivating me by saying things like “you’re good for nothing”, “you can never go above average level” etc. I feel suffocated and feel like running away from my home. I don’t feel like sharing anything with them because if and when I do, they end up bad-mouthing about me to everybody around. I don’t feel like doing anything at all. Please help me!

Ans. I can quite understand your dilemma and how de-motivating it can be for you when parents downgrade you and your good efforts. I wonder if they at all realize how it impacts you when they say such things. Probably, they might be thinking that they are actually motivating you by pushing you forward. You should talk to them and tell them how you feel when they talk like that. Do not blame them or accuse them, but express your feelings in simple terms. ‘I feel hurt, de-motivated and upset when you say such things’. Be honest about how it makes you feel. This might help them understand your emotions and they might change their way of looking at the situation.