Between Holding On and Letting Go: The Thin Line Between Sanity and Insanity

Image Credit: istock

Leonard Divine

Ever get that feeling of “I am okay but not okay”? Like everything around you is a mirage, and you are just one tiny speck in a sea of sand? Everything seems to be rushing at you, and you can not do anything about it. It feels like you are walking a tightrope that could snap at any second, that fragile space between holding it all together and completely losing control.

In a university setting, with endless deadlines, piled-up expectations, and the constant pressure to find ourselves while staying ahead, it is frighteningly easy to blur that line. And what makes it worse? Most of us are too scared to admit that we are not okay. We smile through the noise, laugh through the ache, and keep moving like everything’s fine.
But beneath those smiles, many of us are really falling apart.

Being sane is not about being invisible. It is not about pretending to be strong when you are not. It is not about waking up every day and “pushing through” without rest or reflection. It is not about saying “I’m fine” when you are really not. Sanity is fragile, and real strength lies in protecting it—not ignoring it. Ignoring your mental health is being dishonest with yourself.
Everything might not always be rosy, but learning to ask for help is what sets emotionally healthy people apart from those who are silently struggling behind a smile.

We often assume that insanity is loud and chaotic. But sometimes, it is quiet. Sometimes, it is isolation. Silence. Sudden indifference. A loss of interest in the things we once loved. And sometimes, it is just trying to survive one more day without breaking. Many students carry hidden burdens: family pressure, financial stress, heartbreak, illness, insecurity — it all adds up and weighs heavily. The constant noise from classes, social media, roommates, campus events, and personal expectations can be overwhelming.

Your sanity is important. Do not dismiss it. Sometimes it means retreating into your personal space to get yourself together. The importance of selfcase cannot be overstated — especially in hostel settings, where we live so close, yet sometimes feel so far apart. You can always care, support, and check in on one another. That girl in your hostel everyone avoids? She might just need a little love and a listening ear.
Those people who seem to have it all together might be on the verge of breaking down. Everyone has a backstory worth respecting — do not dismiss your coursemate, roommate, or even bunk mate who’s showing signs of distress. Even the ones who act like everything’s fine still need care. Your small act of kindness could be the one thing that helps someone stay on the right side of the line.

In hostels, in lecture halls, even in casual conversations, we need to start noticing the signs: That roommate who rarely comes out. That coursemate who’s suddenly missing classes. That friend who keeps saying, “I’m just tired,” but looks hollow behind the smile. We need to look deeper. Speak softer. Care louder.

And if it is you who feels close to the edge, know this: you are not alone. There is no shame in feeling overwhelmed. No weakness in asking for help. You don’t have to cross the line before someone takes you seriously. Sometimes, all people need is less judgment and more compassion — because anyone can find themselves in that blurry space between “functioning” and “barely holding on.”

Speak. Reach out. Rest. Heal.
Yes, the line is thin. But so is hope.
And sometimes, all it takes is a little light, a little love, to help someone find their way back. If you ever find yourself on the verge of breaking down, here’s what you can do:
Engage in quiet journaling.Take a walk.
Step away from situations that harm your mental health. Spend time with people who uplift you and help you feel better about yourself. Your peace of mind matters — do not let anyone or anything interfere with it.