Context

First off, this is not a self-help gyaan post! In the past 6 months, I had exactly 4 people reach out to me asking if I knew a therapist and recommend. I did and shared the contact details.

However, all of them were comfortable to share with me why they were looking for one. I recommended them to try something regardless. It helped them.

I realised more folks may be going through something similar and it is important to acknowledge that work, too, takes a big toll on your mental health, how you behave, react in office spaces, or respond to other colleagues.

I have been to therapists. Three times to be exact. All highly recommended, one of them a celebrity therapist. It’s not for me.

We are all different though. It may work for you. However, if you are game, here’s my point of view.

You can be overwhelmed, having a bad day at work, mind’s racing and you feel like seeing a therapist. But… you don’t need to sit on a couch and spill your guts to someone else.

You just need a few minutes each day to unload your thoughts somewhere private, like a notes app, voice memo, or even a private notebook. Think of it as Modern Family meets therapy — just you, talking to yourself, keeping it real. 

And the best part? No one has to hear a word of it.

Here’s how to do it

You don’t need to “journal”. It’s got way too much pressure attached. Just put stuff down without thinking too much. Just document your day.

• Open your notes app and dump out whatever’s on your mind.

• Open your voice memos app, hit record and talk like you’re catching up with an old friend.

• Use a pocket notebook and write one line that sums up your day. Just one. It only becomes more interesting over months.

• Write the smallest of the things you observed through the day — if you had a crush on someone, if you didn’t like the dress or t-shirt someone wore to work. If you found a cute puppy on your way home, if you got irritated by the wrong-side bikers. If you felt like yelling at your parents, spouse, if you found something irritating. If you feel your colleague is an idiot…

Everything qualifies. It’s your own private space. Be completely open and vulnerable.

Why this works

• You’re clearing your head by dumping thoughts out of your brain. Less chaos, more clarity.

• Letting things out lowers stress. It’s like hitting the mental reset button for instant stress-relief.

• Since no one’s seeing this, it’s 100% safe to say anything. You don’t need to worry about judgment or approval. This is your private vault and all secrets go with you to your deathbed.

• Talking to yourself helps you spot your own patterns, and occasionally, you’ll stumble on answers you didn’t even know you had. That’s DIY therapy.. if you will.

Give it a shot, do it everyday for a month and let me know in comments if it improved your state of mind. All the best!