The anxiety to start...

Three years ago, when I was starting college, I was overwhelmed with questions and a stomach full of anxiety😥. I was heading to a new place almost 570 km away from my hometown. I constantly felt alone as I embarked on this journey. What if I fell ill🤒? Who would look after me, and what would I do? How would I handle groceries🥬? How would I manage my finances💸? With no mom or dad to help with my daily life, I had to do every single chore on my own. These constant nagging thoughts made me feel sad about my life choices.

While packing my stuff🎒, I felt a strong urge to stay and find a different college in my hometown. I didn’t want to leave my comfort zone. I wanted to remain in the cocoon where I had been raised for around 18 years😇. One thought that crossed my mind was about the Hindu tradition, which suggests that children should be admitted to a gurukul between the ages of 8 and 11 until they reach 25. The gurukul system, practiced before the colonial era, required students to leave their homes and learn new scriptures, meditation, and life skills in a school-like setting.

While this system may seem harsh in today's world due to the strong attachment children have with their parents, I believe it has its merits🤔. It shapes individuals and teaches the skill of detachment from loved ones, emotionally preparing them for life. Without practicing detachment, we carry emotional baggage that can lead to suffering😔.

The realization that you’re on your own is hard to accept initially. The worst moments are when you’re sick, and there’s no one to take care of you, highlighting the importance of loved ones💖. For someone who has never left their comfort zone, these experiences can be overwhelming. But in my experience, you will eventually figure things out, slowly but steadily. Worrying about unknown challenges is a waste of mental energy🧠; it strains your mind without solving anything.

The best way to handle new challenges is to tackle them as they arise. Finding solutions in the moment is more effective because, in the end, you have to face what you’re trying to avoid. The anxiety you feel before doing something new is called the “flinch.” The flinch is the moment of discomfort before a big event🥴. After that discomfort, you gradually become accustomed to the new situation. The flinch is not just a moment; it’s the beginning of a new habit or a new way of dealing with things😎.

No matter how difficult things seem, you can always find a way to handle them, even if they don’t go as planned. Eventually, you learn a lot from these experiences. If you enjoyed reading, please leave a like and subscribe to our mailing list below.

Cheers✌️

---