Hello, I'm Ravi. Ever since I learned about the UPSC examinations, I knew it was the path I wanted to walk down. The allure of becoming a catalyst for societal change was something that gripped me at my core. So, I found myself in Mukherjee Nagar, a place synonymous with UPSC preparation, to pursue my dream.

 

Life in Mukherjee Nagar was an intense blend of coaching classes, study groups, and libraries that were more populated than most public events. Amidst this, I found a relationship with Priya, another UPSC aspirant. Love seemed like the perfect distraction from the crushing pressure of the exam. But then it happened—Priya cheated on me, right in the place where our relationship had blossomed.

 

The betrayal took a toll on my psyche. My concentration nosedived, my sleep patterns became erratic, and my UPSC preparation went off the rails. I'd sit down to study, but my mind would become a battle zone of 'what ifs' and 'whys.' Instead of policies and history, doubts and heartache filled my head.

 

Seeing my decline, my friend Aniket decided to step in. "Ravi, this isn't you, man. Why don't you consider online counseling?" he suggested one day. Initially, I was hesitant. Could a virtual session really heal wounds this deep?

 

During my first online counseling session, I felt a wave of skepticism. But as I began to talk, something magical happened. The counselor helped me recognize that while the betrayal was a part of my life, it didn't define me or my dreams. The acknowledgment felt like an emotional release

 

As the sessions continued, I learned to separate my personal anguish from my professional goals. The counselor introduced me to techniques for stress management and coping mechanisms that soon became my mental armor. I realized I had to make a conscious choice between letting my past dictate my future or using it as a stepping stone to climb higher.

 

As I realigned my energies back to UPSC preparation, I felt a change. The topics that had seemed boring were now absorbing. The current affairs that I had thought of as tedious were now intriguing. My preparation regained its vigor, but this time it was rooted in an internal harmony, far removed from the chaos I had felt before.

 

The UPSC exam still looms large, but my approach towards it has transformed. Instead of being a source of stress, it now feels like a journey I want to complete. The destination may be challenging, but it's the journey that refines us, isn't it?

 

I haven't faced the UPSC exam yet, but it feels like I've already cleared an important test—that of my emotional resilience. The credit for this turnaround goes to Aniket and the online counseling that helped me navigate through one of the darkest phases of my life.

 

Today, I find myself back on the UPSC track, not as a victim of deceit, but as a survivor fortified by life's challenges. My preparation is in full swing, and while the challenges ahead are numerous, I now possess an inner peace that will help me face them head-on. This, I believe, is a victory in its own right.

 

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