Working as an accomplished academic and senior lecturer, Pragya experienced workplace bullying and burnout. ‘I had a veneer of strength and I didn’t want to admit to feeling vulnerable or harassed. Workplace bullying is one of those situations where you think, “If only I had done something better, it might have improved. It’s my fault.” I was struggling and, especially as a woman of colour, you feel you have to prove yourself again and again,’ she says. The 24-7 work culture didn’t help. ‘Everyone else seems happy, I thought, so there must be a problem with me. I had a real crisis of self-confidence. People didn’t talk openly, and it really affected my mental health.’
Connecting with creativity helped Pragya move forward. ‘I was a parent and juggling so many things. I thought I didn’t have space in my life for anything else or a hobby but I began to step back and think about what I actually wanted to do.’ She decided to sign up for a pottery class. ‘It was the most amazing experience. It was so mindful but totally out of my comfort zone. I had to really work at it and focus on the process, not the end result, and that’s when I made the link between my mental health and creativity. I felt so good.’
This story is from the December 2019 edition of Psychologies.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 2019 edition of Psychologies.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
"Imposter syndrome is super healthy"
Television and radio presenter Claudia Winkleman talks to Psychologies about taking wellness seriously in her 50s, the power of a good nap, and why she’ll never wear a sports bra
Anna Williamson - A date with destiny
Top of the month to you, dear readers! As we ease into the autumn months, many of us looking for love find ourselves dusting off the lazy summer vibes and embracing the opportunity that the colder months can bring. The latter part of the year is always fuelled with a fizz of anticipation, with the changing seasons, cosy evenings drawing in, and impending festivities. It can be the perfect time to ignite the passion for getting out and about and meeting people, in the hope of having fun and finding love.
How to be happier
Emma Hepburn, aka The Psychology Mum, shares how to bring more bliss into your life
SING FOR YOUR LIFE! SOMEWHERE IN MY MEMORY...
In this month's column, musician James Sills explores the songs we sing at Christmas, and how they help us to connect with our past and present
'Twas the night before Christmas...
Whether or not you choose to buy into the Santa myth, we can all believe in the positive messaging the man in red has come to represent, discovers Yasmina Floyer
Winter Walks
Savour this season of solitude and stillness, and take a mindful moment, says Yasmina Floyer
Bit of a stretch EXCUSES, EXCUSES
Hollywood child actress Rachel Hurd-Wood swapped the red carpet for a yoga mat in her new life as a Pilates teacher and mum of two
Anna Williamson Pass the mistletoe!
The smell of cinnamon, tinsel, and panic is in the air! Every year, Christmas seems to descend upon us with as much urgency and pressure as poor ol' Santa himself must feel every 24 December. And whether you are in a relationship, or you are wishing you were, Christmas is undoubtedly a particularly testing time for our love lives.
Tackling Christmas CONFLICT
In the season of peace and goodwill to all, bring back the balance and learn to look after yourself as well as others
A new kind of Christmas
If 'Embracing Christmas 2.0' has struck a chord with you, discover how author Veronica Henry created her own new-look Christmas...