If you throw a stone at a crowd of teenage or university students, it is said that the stone will hit either a BBA or CSE student. But let me tell you, whether it’s a BBA or CSE student -- he or she is surely depressed.
So the probability (the only math I used to understand when I was in class 10) of that stone hitting a BBA or CSE student is 50%, but the probability of that stone hitting someone who is depressed is 99%. The other 1% is for your bad aiming skills, which might result in not hitting anyone.
Now if you ask them why they are depressed, they’ll tell you about exam pressures, social life, love life, family, financial problems, etc. But if you ask them what depression actually is, they’ll fail to answer, most of them. They don’t know the difference between sadness, tension, and depression.
Social media, motivational speeches, and articles are making these kids more insecure and depressed. At the age of 20, you are just starting your life -- you became an adult with voting rights just two years ago.
Life is hard -- yes we have all heard it -- but build a life first and live it a little before even thinking about ending it. If you are alive, that is for a reason. You have a purpose to serve.
If you feel like no one’s there for you, then think twice. If you care for someone, then there’s someone out there who cares for you too. Maybe someone whom you have taken for granted? Your parents, a friend -- could be anyone.
Life shouldn’t be so hard just because you have to wake up early to attend classes -- not having the opportunity to get an education is.
Maybe you have had a bad childhood, maybe you have been abused in the past. If that is the case, then speak up. You always have a choice -- either to live in your past, or to enjoy your present.
Travel the world -- start with Bangladesh and see how wondrous this country can be.
Connect with nature -- it won’t turn its back on you. If you need reasons to live -- there are plenty. Till then, follow this rule: Learn, improve, find, embrace, lief.
Akib Majumder is a freelance contributor.
