Aakanksha Gupta
In life, problems rarely arrive from a single direction—they often come from all sides, leaving us overwhelmed and exhausted. While many of us are quick to advise others on how to cope, following that same advice ourselves can be surprisingly difficult.
We often respond to challenges with excuses or avoidance rather than facing them head-on, fearing the consequences or overreacting to situations that may simply be misunderstandings or minor inconveniences. This tendency to panic instead of acting with confidence can hold us back from overcoming obstacles.
Ironically, those who motivate others are sometimes the ones who struggle most with their own battles. Many people find themselves in the role of an unofficial counselor—offering words of comfort, encouragement, and guidance to friends—yet never applying those lessons in their own lives. The role can easily turn into “people pleasing,” leaving little room to focus on personal mental health.
Like professional psychologists who help others heal but rarely receive the same care, these “go-to” advice-givers often face their own struggles in silence. And while self-motivation can help, its impact is inconsistent. Ultimately, real change comes from within—a person will act only when he or she truly wants to.
The lesson is clear: while it is challenging to live by the same advice we give others, it is possible to manage our worries by staying connected to our goals, persevering through difficulties, and rewarding ourselves with self-love. In the end, facing life’s barriers with courage allows us to look back and proudly say, “Yes, I did it.”
