The Mental Compass

Recently, TV Today Network Limited, the media company behind Aaj Tak and India Today, was in the news after asking nearly 120 employees across various roles to resign as part of a restructuring exercise, according to a report by Newslaundry. Layoffs, however, are no longer limited to a particular industry. According to Livemint, a July 2026 survey by workplace community platform Blind, which covered 1,552 India-based professionals, found that 66% of AI and ML workers expected layoffs or a significant reduction in their team's headcount over the following three to six months. Sales and marketing recorded an even higher figure, at 68%. These numbers tell us something about employment uncertainty. But statistics cannot entirely capture what happens to an individual when the job they depended on suddenly disappears. A working day often begins with a carefully planned routine. Waking up early, getting ready for the office, packing lunch, putting work equipment into a backpack and waitin...

When you slow down and really pay attention to how you behave in everyday situations, there’s something a little strange about it. You’re constantly adjusting how you speak, how you stand, how you respond, yet it doesn’t feel like you’re making decisions all the time. You don’t walk into a room and consciously plan your tone or body language. You don’t calculate how long to pause before replying. It just happens. Because it feels so natural, it’s easy to assume it has always been that way. But it hasn’t. Those patterns weren’t built into you from the beginning, nor were they handed to you as clear instructions. They came from somewhere much quieter, something that’s easy to miss because it doesn’t stand out as a single moment. They came from people being around each other, from interaction and from repetition. At the start, there’s no shared rulebook. People simply behave in slightly different ways. One person says something a certain way, another responds, and that response influences...

Every Independence Day, the country wakes up to familiar sights. Tricolours appear on balconies, schools fill with patriotic songs, social media turns saffron, white and green, and somewhere, a child rehearses a speech about freedom. We have heard these stories so many times that they can sometimes feel distant. We know the names, the dates, the sacrifices. But perhaps Independence Day deserves another question this year: What does freedom actually mean to the young person living in India today? This year’s theme, “Yuva Shakti for Viksit Bharat@2047,” places young people at the centre of India’s vision for its future. And that vision is much bigger than simply asking young Indians to become successful. It asks them to become participants in building the country they will eventually inherit. But before we talk about building a developed India by 2047, perhaps we should pause and ask what young Indians are carrying today. For one student, freedom might mean being able to choose a career ...

Imagine spending five years preparing for a profession, surviving examinations, deadlines, internships, moots and the uncertainty that comes with entering the real world. You finally graduate. You are supposed to be thinking about your first case, your first office, your first professional identity. Then, within hours, you are suddenly wondering whether you will even be allowed to begin your career. That is the emotional backdrop to the NALSAR controversy that unfolded over the last 24 hours. After a campaign by some students opposing the participation of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant at the university's convocation, the Bar Council of India initially directed State Bar Councils not to enrol any 2026 NALSAR graduate as an advocate and sought information about those who organised the campaign.  For a student who may not have been involved at all, that distinction matters enormously. Imagine waking up to news that something you had no part in could potentially affect your profess...

If you have more than one child at home, chances are you have heard the same arguments on repeat: “She took my toy!” “He started it!” “That’s mine!” “Mummy, tell him!” Sometimes it feels as though siblings can turn the smallest disagreement into a full courtroom drama. And naturally, parents step in. We separate them, decide who was right, return the toy, demand an apology, and restore some much-needed peace. From a psychological perspective, however, there is an important question worth asking: Are we only stopping the conflict, or are we teaching children how to handle it? Sibling conflict is not necessarily a sign that something is wrong. In fact, disagreements can become everyday opportunities for children to learn negotiation, boundaries, frustration tolerance, empathy, communication and repair. The problem arises when every conflict follows the same pattern:  fight → parent intervenes → conflict stops → children depend on parent intervention → another conflict begins.  T...

Written By : B. Padma Priya, Psychological Counsellor The Power of the Pause Impulse control is the ability to pause before an urge, allowing you to respond thoughtfully rather than react automatically. Every day brings opportunities to choose kindness, stay calm under pressure, and protect long-term goals. Although building this skill takes time, it can be strengthened through regular practice, reflection, and healthy habits. The Impulse Shift Impulse control is the ability to pause before an urge and choose a thoughtful direction. It is not about denying joy or suppressing emotions. Instead, it involves recognizing a sudden temptation, considering its consequences, and choosing an action that supports long-term wellbeing. Impulse → 🧠 Pause → Value-Driven Action The Benefits of the Pause Strong impulse control helps people manage everyday challenges more effectively. It supports: Frustration management – staying steady during difficult situations. Delayed gratification – choosing ...

Written by : Ms. Blessy Jenifer Joannah. H Counselling Psychologist and Student Counsellor Blessy Jenifer Joannah H. is a Counselling Psychologist and Student Counsellor at RCM Matriculation School, Avadi. Her professional work and research focus on adolescent mental health, with a strong interest in understanding the emotional and psychological challenges faced by today’s adolescents. She is deeply committed to supporting young minds through counselling, awareness, and early intervention. In today’s Gen - Z era, academic achievement has increasingly become the central focus of a student’s life, often overshadowing the student’s emotional well - being.  The students are surrounded by constant evaluation and struggles to meet their parental expectations. The habit of continuously evaluating themselves with others and the fear of failure have become the most common experiences. What seems like harmless comparisons and expectations can gradually develop into a heavy burden for the stu...

Why Small Green Spaces Matter In crowded cities filled with concrete and screens, people increasingly turn to small indoor plants as a way to reconnect with nature. The simple act of placing a potted succulent or fern on a desk provides more than decoration. It represents a bridge between the natural and built environments, giving urban dwellers a sense of calm within spaces that often feel sterile or overwhelming. Psychologists and environmental researchers describe these arrangements as micro green spaces—miniature ecosystems that deliver outsized benefits to mood and focus.   The concept aligns with a growing body of research known as biophilia, which suggests that humans have an innate need to connect with nature. Even limited exposure to greenery has been shown to reduce stress, improve attention, and enhance overall well-being. When time or space is limited, even a tiny plant creates calm.   Stress Relief and Emotional Balance One of the most powerful effects o...

For thousands of Chennai commuters, what began as a routine metro ride suddenly turned into an unsettling experience when services were disrupted and passengers were asked to walk through metro tunnels. The incident shocked many not because of physical harm alone, but because of the intense fear, confusion, and emotional stress it created. Walking through a dim tunnel meant for trains, not people, triggered a deep psychological response that revealed how humans react when control is suddenly taken away. Metro systems represent safety, order, and predictability. People trust that once they enter a train, the system will carry them smoothly to their destination. When this expectation breaks, the mind struggles to adjust. The moment passengers were told to exit and walk through tunnels, uncertainty took over. Where are we going, how long will this last, and are we safe are questions that instantly arise. Psychology shows that uncertainty is one of the strongest triggers of anxiety. The br...