Learn from your mistakes

I am single and live with my parents. I was working in Delhi but came back as I felt out of place there. I have few friends, and avoid talking to people. I keep thinking of the setbacks I have faced in life. Amrit, Chandigarh

Setbacks are a part of life. People, who see them as a part and parcel of life and think ‘Ok, what now’, are able to move on. Even if things went wrong, remind yourself of the steps that led to that problem and then think of steps to take now. Remind yourself that you are resilient and problems are transitory. You can write how you are doing currently and how you could take steps to improve the current situation. People who reframe their life experiences, like “that was a stressful period but I learned from it. Stress is a part of life. Now I can appreciate things more”; tend to move on from situations with a positive mind frame.

I suffered loss in business and had to return to stay with my brother. I avoid going out and feel hopeless. Puja, Mohali

If you were working all these years and independent that means you have the ability to do well. One loss or some losses can happen to anyone. The main thing is what you learn from it. And staying in touch with people and maintaining good relationships is the key to a happier life. So, don’t avoid people. See how you can start off again. Plan

(Waraich is a Chandigarh-based  psychiatrist)