'I Lost Myself': UPSC Aspirant Opens Up About Mental Toll Of Exam Prep — Internet Feels Her Pain | VIDEO

A video by UPSC aspirant Manvi Srivastava has struck a deep chord online, resonating with thousands who’ve walked the same path of sacrifice and solitude. In her now-viral Instagram post, Srivastava reflected

on how preparing for India’s most competitive civil services exam consumed her 20s and left her feeling adrift once it was over.In a moving caption, she shared that the UPSC journey “changes a person completely” and confessed that she had “given her 20s to it.” She wrote about isolating herself for years — missing out on birthdays, people, and joy — and admitted that when it all ended, she no longer recognised who she had become. “Between chasing UPSC and losing sleep, I lost myself too,” she added.Speaking in the video, Srivastava revealed that her blank resume feels like a reflection of her lost identity. She said her laptop screen shows “a face that knows a lot about failures, but is ignorant of the art of living.” Despite being well-educated and determined, she confessed to struggling with self-confidence. Her message urged aspirants to not lose themselves in the race for success and to care for their mental health above all.

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A post shared by Manvi Srivastava (@discipline.over.motivation.now)

Her words have sparked an emotional response across social media. One user commented, “Within just few months of preparation I realised that it won't be easy.” Another shared, “Connected with every word because it was the story of every UPSC aspirant.” A third added, “This is so personal. I can relate to every single word. Every single thing you wanted to say and lived is a story of every upsc aspirant. Wish you luck and keep showing up for yourself.''