Harshith

35 | Married | Interior designer 

I am from a middle-class family. As a kid I was highly perceptive leading to high expectations from my parents. During my teenage years, I struggled to fit in and gain acceptance both among my peers and within my own family, in the retrospect, due to my undiagnosed ADHD. This led to ongoing battles with mild depression all through my formative years.

On my career journey so far, I've changed 7 jobs in 11 years across 3 cities, transitioning through 4 different industries: engineering, art, products, and managing customer experience. Along the way, I encountered the heartbreak of losing my father to cancer, and I dedicated myself to providing him with full-time care during his last three months.

Before I got married, I was in an 8-year-long, trauma-bonded relationship, and my marriage has been marked by the challenges posed by my undiagnosed ADHD traits. Currently, I find myself in the role of a stay-at-home dad, and my primary focus is on ensuring that I don't pass on my traumas to my child. I'm also in the process of contemplating what the future holds for my career.

In the last few years I had deep dived into numerous self-help books, therapy, intense meditation sessions, travels, adhoc discussions with friends, family and strangers which all had their own positive effects. And I am learning to live and thrive with all my imperfections in this strange but amazing world.

 Have taken therapy.