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Published Jul 6, 2020

#097: Ready To Change with Vasavi Kumar

Vasavi Kumar shares her transformational journey of embracing authenticity, overcoming cultural and societal pressures, and reclaiming her personal power, as she candidly discusses her experiences with mental health challenges and addiction recovery, inspiring listeners with her resilience and self-discovery.
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  • Bipolar Journey

    Vasavi Kumar shares her journey with bipolar disorder, a diagnosis she received at 20. She recounts the moment she expressed doubts about her marriage to her father, who dismissed her concerns due to her condition. This experience reflects the stigma and misunderstanding surrounding mental health, as Vasavi explains how her diagnosis initially provided a sense of relief by offering an explanation for her behavior 1.

    I felt relief in that moment when I got that diagnosis, because it kind of made me feel like, okay, well, there's nothing wrong with me. I have a label now.

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    Despite the challenges, she emphasizes the importance of medication in managing her symptoms, although it came with side effects like weight gain and lethargy 1.

       

    Medication Shift

    Vasavi's decision to stop medication was a significant turning point in her life. She describes the process as a journey of self-discovery, supported by her time in India and her engagement with Ayurvedic practices 2. Her encounter with an Ayurvedic doctor challenged her to reconsider her dependency on medication, prompting her to explore her inner strength and self-worth.

    You're going to be okay regardless of what you experience. You got it. You know yourself. You were born for this.

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    This shift in mindset allowed her to cultivate a sense of inner worth, moving away from external validation and towards self-reliance 3.

       

    Inner Responsibility

    Vasavi emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility for one's life and choices. She reflects on how her past relationships and substance use were symptoms of a deeper lack of self-relationship 4. Her therapist's advice to focus on her role in allowing certain behaviors was transformative, empowering her to reclaim control over her life.

    If I allowed it, that means I have the power. I have the control now.

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    This realization marked a pivotal moment in her journey towards mental wellness, highlighting the power of stepping out of a victim mindset 4.

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