Unveiling the Mental Maze: Empowering Yourself for Inner Strength and Fulfillment

~Amrita Milan

---

Panic, Tension, a high fall you practically and quite physically feel on your chest. Just the mere description of it sends a wave of detest. And that detesting description is of none more than your stress or anxiety.

It is important to acknowledge that these two words have now become some words we all are quite well acquainted with. And while that may seem sad because of the growing experience of it in our society, it is also comforting in a way that it has brought much-needed awareness to such key topics, and because of that . We as a society and as individuals can talk openly about it.

Being a high school student myself, it's fair to say I've had quite some acquaintances with these two situations myself. The pressure, the doubt, the panic, the disappointment, I have met with all. I had found myself strongly advocating for the importance of good mental health and taking measures for the same to other people, however, when I looked deeper I understood that I, myself was so deeply impacted by poor mental health.

Before going through it myself, I had simply assumed and concluded that everyone should be aware of the mental state they are in. But in reality, it took me weeks to realize that all those self-depriving thoughts and constant anxiety were signs of poor mental health in itself. Maybe because i myself got so used to that feelingThat itsoon became a habit.

It is only when I acknowledged the state I was in to myself. I could begin feeling better. And that is a first step , I truly feel is important to start with. Acknowledging. Only when you come face to face with it, and accept it can you begin feeling better. You can finally comprehend that it is normal. And that it isn’t going to be that way forever.

A starting step could be acknowledging a disappointing but also pretty vital fact that, most often pressure because of school - deadlines, homework and exams are not going away any time soon. They are not going to magically disappear no matter how hard we wish for.

Instead of feeling panicked and stressed about that pressure (which is absolutely normal and a complete reflex reaction), you can begin acknowledging that, it’s in your hands how you manage it. Instead of feeling intimidated by that, you can feel comforted by the fact that you have a sense of power and control over this situation. And use it to its very extent.

It is also key to acknowledge that it's okay to ask for help. This is the second step. Getting Help. Getting help in this context always comes across as asking for others’ help to do your work or to share the burden. And then we soon begin to refrain from doing that as that's not a choice, and it's our work. But getting help could also mean sharing what's on your mind.

That is advice most of us come across. But from true personal experience, it is wise and genuinely of such immense help. Our mind is endless. Powerful in a way that our thoughts can reach beyond any limit, conquer any height - that it's practically immeasurable. And this power also makes it a disadvantage. As very often our minds take unnecessary thoughts to heights better not reached.

And it becomes so unbearably burdening to get out of. And that is when sharing it with someone works. Not for advice or solutions on how to overcome it, not for opinions. But for the purpose of letting it out and unbottling it. Go talk to a friend, your parents or a counsellor - and finally let it out. It is when these thoughts come to words can you actually start thinking clearly. Journalling can also help with this - it can provide you with much clarity.

After gaining a new bound clarity the next step is to act. And a way you can act much more efficiently is to begin planning and organizing your schedule. With a plan in place, it would give you a sense of control. And trust me when I say, it would leave you feeling much more prepared. Organizing your schedule, your work is a piece of advice very well spread out. And it is done because it truly can be of immense help.

After successfully getting out of a stressful phase of school pressures (exam seasons, work pressure etc) we very often forget to appreciate ourselves. A reason for that could be that we feel that we are obliged to do it, it's our job to get it done. And while there is a truth to that. Taking a while to appreciate and reward yourself for taking control of your situation and successfully managing it is a good habit. Personally, this was a step that took me a lot of time to begin doing. Because I felt that it was my duty to do this task, and no appreciation was truly needed. But the change I have noticed after this step is truly immense. It left me more motivated and prepared in myself and gave me something to look forward to after the end of that phase.

A year ago, I was a teenager who frankly couldn't comprehend just truly why important mental health was. Sure, if you asked me the importance of it I could give you a hundred reasons. But did I relate to it? No. But after witnessing the effects of how poor mental health can leave you so tired, exhausted and honestly done with school work I understood that with the way I was managing things, I would have eventually hit a breaking point. It takes us a while to truly relate and comprehend the importance of mental health. But one thing that can help you understand this is to acknowledge that your future is in your hands. And it's important you begin prioritizing your mental health. Because the way you handle yourself, handle your work and handle life ,it all dependent on your mental health. Truly understanding and prioritizing your mental health is the first beginning step, which will surely lead you to a path of being mentally strong and feeling much more content and happier. It always starts with you.