men's mental health – ANKUR MONDAL

Maybe You Just Need to Smile

I am living my life one day at a time. Some days are heavy, some days are lighter, but most days feel like I am just trying to survive. I wake up with the weight of thoughts I can’t always explain. I feel lost most of the time, searching for a path that seems invisible….

NUMB

There’s something creepy crawling inside me.No, it’s not a ghost. It’s worse.It’s slowly eating away at my emotions, empathy, and will to feel.I think it started small – a moment here, a moment there.A forgotten phone call. A hug that didn’t land. A message left on read. And now?I feel… NOTHING.Yes, I’m NUMB. No, I’m…

Window Shopping

Through virtual windows, I peer and swipe,A catalogue of men, each prototype.No vows, no bonds, no legal decree,Just endless aisles of “What could be.” Migrating birds, they flit and roam,No nesting hearts, no solid home.Loyalty? A fleeting disguise,Lost in the glare of pixelated skies. Grindr’s ping, a digital bell,Announces sales of lust to sell.Swipe left,…

I’m toxic. Period!

The past year has been nothing short of a whirlwind. It’s been a year of deep reflection, painful realizations, and, surprisingly, growth. As I write this, I want to make one thing clear: this is my side of the story. Not the absolute truth, but my truth – a story of love, labels, and letting…

All of Us Strangers

The idea of six degrees of separation is enchanting. This thought suggests any two people in the world are connected through just six acquaintances. It suggests that the world may feel vast. Still, we’re only a few handshakes away from one another. Yet, within this comforting notion lies a quiet question: what about the people…

A Table for One

My heart is yellow,The thoughts are deep,A table for one,Is all I need. The world spins fast,It voices loud,But here I sit,Away from the crowd. No masks to wear,No roles to play,Just me, myself,At the end of the day. This quiet moment,So rare, so true,A space to breathe,The life renew. It’s not escape,It’s a loving…

Embracing Bad Luck: The Art of Pivoting

I once caught a line from a movie that really stuck with me: “It’s one of the benefits of bad luck. It teaches you to pivot.” There’s definitely some truth there. Life can throw us off track, and sometimes it feels like it does so over and over again. As a middle-aged Indian gay man,…

मुस्कान

सुनो, मुझे हँसना सिखा दो।कैसी होती है मुस्कान, बस वो बता दो। बचपन में खिलखिलाते, कुछ आवाज़ें गुम गईं,जवानी के ठहाके, लोगों के कानों में चुभ गईं। किसी बात पे खुश हुए और काम बिगड़ गया,तो डर से उनपे भी खुश होना छोड़ दिया। अब तस्वीरें खिचवाना अजीब लगता है,खुद का चेहरा भी अजनबी सा…

Frozen Gaze

I may look cold as ice,When I see in them nothing nice.With a gaze that could freeze,And a heart that’s hard to please. You may find me rude,But on good days, I’m the next-door dude.A familiar face with hidden grace,Waiting for a smile to light up this space. Behind the frost, there’s warmth untold,A story…

Being Queer in the Corporate Jungle: Challenges and Thriving Tips

Navigating the corporate world as a Queer person isn’t easy. Challenges like stereotypes and microaggressions exist, but self-acceptance and advocacy can lead to thriving and change.