In this month's ALAAP episode, the moderators, Tasnova, Unsha, and Naziat discuss the concept of being alone and being lonely. During young adulthood (after college) people tend to blend the idea that being alone = lonely = sadness. However, being alone doesn’t have to mean that at all! Learning things about yourself each and everyday allows you to be comfortable in your own skin. The moderators discuss their personal hardships and journeys with being alone and help come up with skills and habits to be comfortable with yourself. This journey is not easy and it’s not meant to be, but taking it slow by showing yourself compassion and gratitude each day goes a long way!

Throughout the episode we included new music by Sreeja Chakra! Sreeja is a Queer Bengali South Asian artist and decolonization activist based in Denver, CO. Sreeja came out with a first single, “Ami Jaani,” on June 17th and the message connected to our BMHM mission and goals. Thus we decided to collab with Sreeja on this episode to show off the song as it represents the struggles and hardships of South Asian descent in all generations. Please show some love and support for Sreeja, links are down below!

Resources:

• Being Lonely and Being Alone: What’s the Difference? https://www.nystromcounseling.com/grief-loss/being-lonely-and-being-alone-whats-the-difference/#:~:text=Being%20%E2%80%9Calone%E2%80%9D%20is%20a%20physical,for%20the%20company%20of%20others
• How Gratitude Can Change Your Life https://www.nystromcounseling.com/mental-health/how-gratitude-can-change-your-life/
• Am I Co-Dependent? https://www.kcresolve.com/blog/guilt-versus-shame-awrxm

Sreeja Chakra - donate & buy her song: https://sreejachakra.bandcamp.com

Please be sure to stay updated on the BMHM's IG (@bengalimentalhealthmvmnt) in order to catch the next topic and add in your own questions and comments, that may end up in an upcoming episode!