Strength TogetHER 15- Session 5

 

On September 5, 2021

“Rule number one is, don’t sweat the small stuff. Rule number two is, it’s all small stuff.”

                                                                                                                     -Robert Elio

Facilitated by ‘Lokopakar’, an organization that promotes youth development, ‘Strength TogetHER’ is a safe virtual space where girls from all walks of life may connect and share their experiences. This virtual platform promotes girls of all mindsets and backgrounds to grow as individuals by offering a safe space for them to simply be themselves.


Following the success of our fourth session on August 7th, we convened our fifth session via Zoom on September 4th, with all the excitement, enthusiasm, and trepidation that entails. The session titled ‘OVERCOME OVERTHINKING’ started at 12:00 P.M. and lasted until around 1:30 P.M.


The session started with quick good tidings from each participant, with about 15 participants and 4 speakers. We felt safe and comfortable under the direction of Miss Rosy Karna who completed her undergraduate and master’s in biology at Stanford University, California, USA. As an aspiring clinical psychologist, her long-term goal is to utilize her experience to establish a better mental health care system in her home country, Nepal.


With a warm hello and bright smile, we began calling the speakers right away, asking them to share their overthinking subjects so that our moderator could assist us.

  • Our first speaker told us about her goal and how it causes her to overthink everything. Her ambition is to become a doctor in the future, but due to financial constraints, her parents will only allow her to do so if she studies on a scholarship. Every night, she overthinks about how she will pass her entrance exam and if she will be successful or not.

  • When the exam was approaching, our second speaker described how the questions in her thoughts began to move around in her head. She said that overthinking caused her stress during exam time. She reads all night long, but her mind is always wondering what question the teacher will ask and how she will respond.

  • Our third speaker told her current story about how she was nervous and worried the entire day and night about what would happen and whether or not everything would be fine when her entire family was tested covid positive. In the middle of the night, she used to have a lot of thoughts. Furthermore, she stated that she has a propensity of overthinking every night.

  • Our next speaker shared with us that she has a lot of negative thoughts in her head every night, which causes her to have a headache in the morning. She provided an idea that helped her conquer it, which was to think solely about good things, which helped her to mask her negative thoughts and sleep better, and it worked.



After listening to those stories, our moderator shared some of her own, which brought us relief and tranquility. Then we spoke about a number of things that could help us solve our problem.


  • We must constantly work on learning to let go of the past. It’s necessary as it frees up mental space that was previously filled by overthinking.

  • Instead of thinking about the problems, we should give our strength and energy to finding solutions.

  • One of these three things can assist us to clear our mind if we’re feeling overwhelmed by thoughts:

  • A stroll through the woods

  • Exercise has been scientifically demonstrated to be a mood enhancer and stress reliever.

  • Unplugging from all digital devices for a few hours.

  • Negative thoughts should be avoided initially, so that good thought can take over and solve the situation.

  • Stop thinking and practice being present!!!


This session gave us all a great chance to learn and unlearn new concepts while also participating in a lively and relaxing discussion. We were all ecstatic to be part of such a beautiful family with such inspiring girls!!!


At the end of the session, we took a picture to remember our time together. With a smile on our faces, we finished our session. It was a lighthearted gathering. I am excited to hear more in the coming session!!!


This blog is written by Dipa Yadav, the proud coordinator of Cohort 15, an eager learner who appreciates sharing experiences and believes in the concept of ‘Strength in TogetHERness’.

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