Care Star Shubham talks about “Toxic Positivity": For Anyone Starting Their Career in Law

Care FAM is proud to have Shubham. I think this is so relatable and I personally have had experiences similar to this. Finding a job, making a name and just being

I am glad that we have first-hand experience. I am sure this will be helpful for anyone in Shubham’s position. I can't thank Shubham enough to open up this way. I can only tell you Shubham that there is hope and that you are giving that to so many people like yourself. I am sure that you will be a seasoned lawyer in the future. Acceptance is the first step and I am glad that you have taken that. Keep chasing your dreams and sharing your views/ problems along the way. You are not alone.

Who are you? Given where you are today, what was the most challenging experience you have had so far and how have you changed the situation around? (If you have struggled with mental health, please do share, so that someone like you could be inspired).

I am a law student in my penultimate year of study. This is the most crucial part in law school for career placement. The biggest challenge I face today is to uplift my enthusiasm and dedication to look happy because that's how one succeeds. This is essentially called "toxic positivity." For me, it's a state, where I am not happy but I have to live with the pretence that I am.

Your mental health journey and how much has it impacted you in your life choices and decisions?

It started with Insomnia during my freshman year leading to depression. It impacts each and every decision in my life, from what time should I wake up/sleep to what elective should I opt for my credit course. However, now I've started to realise that there's nothing I can do about it if I don't accept it. So, I've accepted the fact that I have a condition and I need to overcome it in order to make the right decisions in life.

Your tips and guidance for anyone reading this

After I accepted the fact that I am mentally unwell, life has been better. I can tell people that I have some stuff going on that's why I am behaving this way, and above all, I can tell this to myself. Since I know my problem, I understand the consequences. In that way, I avoid doing things that cause my mental health to trigger. I stay connected with my loved ones and tell them about the decisions I am making and ask them to judge whether it's correct. And they suggest me the right thing to do to explain why my mental health must be causing this problem.

Your views matter, what do you feel could be added to make the participants of the project(care family) stronger? #becausewecare

I think it serves the purpose that it aims to achieve.

Would you recommend the project to others?

Yes, I would