"A Year of Emotional Milestones" By Aditya Singh

 


It has been a year since I began my journey with Project Sampoorna, walking into classrooms not just as a facilitator, but as a fellow human trying to understand and nurture something deeply personal, Social Emotional Learning (SEL). Over the months, I’ve conducted sessions with students, engaged with teachers, and collaborated with government stakeholders. Each interaction, each session, has been a step toward something greater normalizing conversations around emotions. 

Social Emotional Learning is both simple and complex. Simple because it starts with awareness of the self and others. Complex because that awareness demands patience, practice, and a willingness to feel. In today’s world, even the most cheerful-looking individual may be fighting unseen battles within. We often mistake smiles for peace, confidence for calmness. But if we had a window into people’s minds, we’d see that everyone is trying, struggling, striving to understand, express, and regulate their emotions. 

Many may agree, and some may not, but SEL is no longer a luxury or a 'good-to-have'. It is the need of the hour. When we teach a child to name their emotion, or help a teacher pause before reacting, or support a stakeholder in understanding the long-term value of empathy, we're planting seeds. Seeds that will grow into a more emotionally aware, compassionate society. 

Our efforts under Project Sampoorna today may not make headlines. But silently, steadily, they are carving the stairs that future generations will climb towards emotional literacy, mental resilience, and collective well-being. 

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

“अरे बेटा! और आजकल क्या कर रहे हो?” By Aditya Singh

  गाँव की गलियों में सुबह का धुआँ अभी पूरी तरह छँटा नहीं था, चाय की दुकानों पर बेंचें लोगो से भरी हुई थी , लोग अख़बार के पन्नों से ज़्यादा एक - दूसरे की ख़बरों में दिलचस्पी ले रहे थे। ऐसे ही माहौल में , जब कोई नौजवान गली से गुजरता है तो किसी न किसी मोड़ से एक आवाज़ आती है , “ अरे बेटा ! और आजकल क्या कर रहे हो ?” सवाल छोटा है , लेकिन असर गहरा। यह सवाल जैसे हल्केपन में पूछा जाता है , पर सुनने वाले के दिल में किसी काँटे की तरह चुभ जाता है। हर नौजवान के लिए यह सवाल उसकी अधूरी कोशिशों , टलते सपनों और समाज की उम्मीदों की याद दिला देता है। जिस उम्र में वह खुद को समझने , दिशा तय करने और ठोकरों से कुछ सीखने की कोशिश कर रहा होता है , उसी समय यह सवाल उसे उसके ‘ कुछ ना करने ’ की याद दिला देता है। कुछ नौजवान ऐसे हैं जो अपने घरों से बहुत दूर , किसी छोटे कमरे में , किसी पराये शहर में रहकर अपने सपनों की तैयारी में जुटे हैं। उनके कमरे की ...
Read more

"Trapped by Options" By Aditya Singh

Image
In today’s digital world, the problem is no longer about lack of access, but about having too much of everything. Whether it’s picking a movie, buying clothes, or choosing a career path, we are constantly surrounded by countless options. While this abundance might seem empowering, I often find it overwhelming. Instead of feeling more in control, I sometimes feel mentally drained. This is what researchers call decision fatigue , the idea that the more choices we face, the more our ability to make clear and satisfying decisions gets compromised. I’ve noticed this myself: after scrolling through dozens of options, I either make no choice at all or end up regretting the one I did make, thinking something better was left behind.   Ironically, digital platforms that aim to personalize our experience often make things worse. Algorithms suggest content or products based on our past behavior, which might sound helpful, but they tend to trap us in echo chambers. They flood us with simil...
Read more

"Why Most Men Don't Like to Celebrate Their Birthdays" By Aditya Singh

Image
Birthdays are traditionally seen as moments of celebration filled with joy, gifts, and love. Yet, for many men, birthdays are approached with discomfort, avoidance, or even quiet sadness. It’s not that men don't feel anything about their birthdays. In fact, often, they feel too much. But the way they are trained to handle emotions and the inner battles they carry make birthdays a complicated day instead of a simple celebration.   Let’s explore more deeply the emotional reality behind why many men shy away from celebrating their birthdays.     1. The Silent Pressure to Be "Strong"   From childhood, boys hear phrases like "boys don't cry," "man up," or "be tough." These messages don’t simply teach resilience; they teach emotional silence. Over time, men internalize the belief that expressing deep feelings whether sadness, joy, or vulnerability is a sign of weakness.   A birthday, by its nature, invites vulnerability. People offer you...
Read more