Three years ago, when I was starting college, I was overwhelmed with questions and a stomach full of anxietyđ„. 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 illđ€? Who would look after me, and what would I do? How would I handle groceriesđ„Ź? How would I manage my financesđž? 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 stuffđ, I felt a strong urge to stay and find a different college in my hometown. I didnât want to leave my comfort zone. I wanted to remain in the cocoon where I had been raised for around 18 yearsđ. 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 meritsđ€. 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 sufferingđ.
The realization that youâre on your own is hard to accept initially. The worst moments are when youâre sick, and thereâs no one to take care of you, highlighting the importance of loved onesđ. 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 energyđ§ ; 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 youâre trying to avoid. The anxiety you feel before doing something new is called the âflinch.â The flinch is the moment of discomfort before a big eventđ„Ž. After that discomfort, you gradually become accustomed to the new situation. The flinch is not just a moment; itâs the beginning of a new habit or a new way of dealing with thingsđ.
No matter how difficult things seem, you can always find a way to handle them, even if they donât 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.
Cheersâïž
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