We recently connected with Ayushi Acharya and have shared our conversation below.
Ayushi, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
For me, it began with a quest to understand the threads that connected my passions, skills, and values. I delved into various activities, always excelling in reading, writing, and had a growing interest in human behavior. I did attempt to immerse myself in different fields of study. Along the way, I encountered moments of clarity, where the intersection of what I loved and what I was good at became unmistakably clear. These moments were like a string of flashing lights, guiding me towards my purpose.
Finding my purpose was a journey however, I always innately knew at a young age that I would be in the field of witnessing suffering and validating these experiences. Simply put, helping others. As a first generation immigrant from India, my parents came to the United States with little to no money and built our comfortable suburban lifestyle from scratch. Finding a purpose wasn’t a question but rather an invisible blanket of responsibility that fueled the drive to pursue a life worthy of the sacrifices made my parents. Coming from an altruistic family contributed to my purpose as well. I watched my father who is a natural born optimist, always dedicated to providing others with a helping hand, my mother who when faced with challenges dealt with them with compassion and grace, dedicated to her career to rehabilitation of the geriatric population, and my brother who is effortlessly congenial become the first ever physician in our family. And myself, who became the first ever mental health psychotherapist. From the beginning, I knew that underneath the surface of being successful and materialism, building a life’s purpose, seeking happiness, and being of service to others were the ultimate goals.
Truly, it wasn’t until I embraced vulnerability and allowed myself to be authentic that my purpose truly revealed itself. Through introspective practices like journaling and meditation, I peeled back the layers of societal expectations and unearthed the unique essence of who I am. I realized that my purpose wasn’t just about achieving external success but about living in alignment with my core values and making a meaningful impact on the world around me. With this newfound clarity, I embarked on a journey fueled by passion and driven by purpose, knowing that every step forward was a step closer to fulfilling my true calling.
Becoming a mental health therapist isn’t just a career choice; it’s a profound calling rooted in empathy, compassion, and a desire to help others navigate the complexities of their inner worlds. For me, this purpose crystallized through personal experiences and a deep-seated belief in the power of human connection and healing. Witnessing the struggles of loved ones and experiencing my own journey through adversity ignited within me a passion to support individuals on their path towards mental wellness. This calling isn’t just about offering professional guidance but about creating a safe space where individuals can feel seen, heard, and validated in their emotions and experiences.
Embracing the role of a mental health therapist means committing to continuous growth and learning, as each client brings with them a unique set of challenges and opportunities for insight. It’s about fostering resilience, empowering individuals to rewrite their narratives, and guiding them towards a place of greater self-awareness and self-compassion. As I embark on this journey, I carry with me a profound sense of responsibility and humility, knowing that each interaction holds the potential to spark transformation and facilitate profound healing. My purpose as a mental health therapist isn’t just to provide treatment but to walk alongside my clients with empathy and unwavering support, empowering them to reclaim ownership of their lives and rewrite their stories with courage and resilience.
I tell my clients who are also looking for their purpose to view the pieces of their life as a mirror and what reflects back to you will give you profound information about who you are in these moments and what your purpose derives from. These flashing lights illuminate the path you choose to walk, helping you navigate through life’s complexities with clarity and intention. Without a sense of purpose, life can feel aimless and devoid of fulfillment, leaving you feeling disconnected from yourself and the world around you. For me, living in alignment with my purpose fosters a sense of authenticity and inner harmony, because I am ultimately living in accordance with my core values, beliefs, and optimized sense of self.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Ceritified Case Manager. I received my Masters in Public Health and Masters in SOcial Work from the University of Illinois Chicago. From there, I worked in inpatient psychiatric units, outpatient psychiatric units, and as a case manager in the Neo-Natal Intensive Unit. After a couple months working for another private practice, I decided to create my own focusing on principles that I believed in: loving and trusting ourselves, our decisions, and ultimately our lives.
Through my practice, I was able to specialize in the South Asian population working with individuals with eating disorders, intergenerational trauma, intimate partner violence, day-to-day discomfort and major life transitions. I find this to be extremely rewarding and is my way to give back to my own community where mental health is not considered to be a priority. Thankfully, there are incredible mental health advocates throughout the community raising awareness and breaking through these stigmas.
I help perfectionists let go of perfectionism in order to live their best fulfilled lives. I am the sole owner of a private practice Love Your Behavior Wellness LLC, launching a new wellness company in the Fall 2024. The new company and my practice focuses on delivering empathetic evidence based therapy services for women, families, and couples. The subject areas that I focus on are: anxiety, depresson, perinatal/post partum, eating disorders, and couples therapy. My new wellness company will be based on more tangible self-help and wellness resources curated by me. Here you will see more workbooks, online courses, books, and other wellness products. The goal of my wellness company is to facilitate healing through looking at all aspects of your life holistically & seeing what is working and what could be improved. I also have a passion for sharing mental health tips and my lifestyle as a business owner, woman of color in the therapy world, and my day-to-day life via my social medias. I cannot wait to share these new launches!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
1. Resilience: Resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks, adapt to change, and persevere in the face of challenges. Successful individuals will encounter obstacles and failures along their journey, but what sets them apart is their resilience—their capacity to remain determined and not give up in the face of adversity. Cultivating resilience involves developing a growth mindset, maintaining a positive outlook, and finding ways to learn and grow from setbacks rather than being discouraged by them.
2. Effective Communication: Effective communication is essential for success in various aspects of life, from building strong relationships to advancing in one’s career. Being able to convey ideas clearly, listen actively, and empathize with others fosters better understanding, collaboration, and mutual respect. Whether it’s articulating your vision, negotiating with stakeholders, or resolving conflicts, honing your communication skills can significantly enhance your ability to influence others and achieve your objectives.
3. Adaptability: Learn to be fluid. In a rapidly changing world, adaptability is a crucial skill for success. Being adaptable means being open to new ideas, embracing change, and adjusting your approach as circumstances evolve. Successful individuals are often those who can pivot quickly, seize opportunities, and thrive in dynamic environments. Cultivating adaptability involves staying curious, continuously learning, and being willing to step outside your comfort zone to explore new possibilities and solutions. By being adaptable, you can navigate uncertainty with confidence and position yourself for success in any endeavor.
If you are early on your journey, to help build resilience I would suggest making sure you have a good social support system around you. Also, to not be quick to quit when life seems to not work out in your favor because this will happen, but you will bounce back. Also, learning to take a break when you need it. Listen to your body, rest is also productive and contributes to building resilience.
Active and effective communication can be shown through talking less and listening more. Get really clear on what you want and your own boundaries around situations. Clarity helps us define our goals and communicate them with confidence.
Adaptability is a life skills and the antithesis of perfectionism. Being able to pivot and adapt to new situations and challenges is critical in being impactful. Your ability to adapt also provides others with ease and strengthens your leadership skill set.
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
Perfectionism is the current and constant challenge I face day to day. Perfectionism results in being stagnant, unsure, and creates an environment where mistakes are not allowed. Perfectionism is a significant obstacle because it often leads to unrealistic expectations, chronic dissatisfaction, and increased stress. This relentless pursuit of flawlessness creates a cycle of self-criticism and self-doubt, where I’m left to constantly feel like I’m falling short of their my expectations.
Moreover, my perfectionism can impede progress and productivity due to feeling paralyzed by fear of failure. I also may spend excessive amounts of time obsessing over minor details which results in procrastination, missed deadlines, and a reluctance to take risks or try new things. Instead of seeing mistakes as opportunities for growth, sometimes it may feel that the task itself is impossible.
I am able to curb my perfectionism through mindfulness and practicing what I tell my clients. I feel that I am able to connect with my clients because I understand how much of a barrier perfectionism can be. In order to combat perfectionism, I put my ideas out there without second guessing anymore. This may look like: posting a TikTok without hours of editing, writing without second guessing every word, even smaller tasks such as when I do make a mistake I do not need to reprimand myself and not everything needs to be pretty wrapped in a bow. Also, telling myself that not everything is permanent and these are the stages where the true learning can begin. I heard in a podcast once that it is better to be “scrappy” as an entrepreneur and so that is what I’m practicing- how to be scrappy.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.loveyourbehavior.com
- Instagram: ayushisanjayacharya
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayushiacharya692/
- Other: TikTok: ayushisanjayacharya
