Madhu Chopra says her daughter Priyanka has mastered the art of compartmentalising life and work: ‘She will be up at 4 if…’

Reflecting on her journey, Madhu recently shared in an interview on Dr Stuti Khare Shukla’s YouTube channel, that the familial support she received was the reason behind her success. “There was always someone around me, so I could completely dive into my practice.”

Despite being pulled in various directions, she ensured that the time spent with her children was meaningful. “And when we did spend time with the children, it was quality time. 100 percent children’s time. That was really good. I think that’s how they could imbibe the work ethics also, that you have to work hard if you want to achieve something and also give time to yourself, your family, and your life,” she said. 

She also stressed how important it is to compartmentalise between work and personal life, a practice she has passed down to her children, particularly Priyanka. “Priyanka is just as excellent when it comes to compartmentalising between her work and personal life,” she shared, highlighting her daughter’s strong work ethic.

She also shared how she maintains a morning routine for self-care, waking up early to start her day focused on herself. Madhu added that although her son Siddharth isn’t an early riser, Priyanka is capable of starting her day early if necessary.  “My son is not such an early riser but still he is up by 8:30 am. But Priyanka, depending on the kind of work she is doing, she will be up at 4 also if needed,” she said.

Regularly checking in with yourself, communicating your needs, and building a support system are crucial for mental well-being (Source: Freepik)

Compartmentalisation, the practice of mentally separating different aspects of life, is a skill that can help individuals stay present and perform at their best. 

But how does one master this art without feeling overwhelmed or disconnected? 

Mental health counsellor Anuckriti Garg tells indianexpress.com, “The psychological process of compartmentalisation allows you to segregate and contain interconnected thoughts, experiences and feelings. It can improve your productivity, enhance mental clarity and reduce feelings of anxiety and stress. It can happen unconsciously when you are overwhelmed or work as a deliberate exercise to manage time efficiently.”

“Having a routine, maintaining boundaries and cultivating mindfulness can help maintain focus and reduce stress. Routines help maintain the flow of your day, routine activities and rituals serve as mental cues signifying the end of one task and beginning of another,” she says. 

Initially, Garg adds that it helps to “consciously push yourself to disconnect from our overwhelming emotions or thoughts” by grounding yourself and being present in the moment. The practice of mindfulness and grounding is the act of relying on our senses to consciously focus on the here and now. 

Garg mentions, “Similarly, setting boundaries helps separate one aspect of your life from the other. You can decide how you want to enforce it. Boundaries can look like – not answering calls or responding to emails after work hours, establishing emotional boundaries, practicing self-care.”

How can individuals prevent compartmentalisation from becoming a form of emotional avoidance or detachment?

Compartmentalisation can become an unhealthy defense mechanism when unregulated, leading to suppressed emotions, emotional barriers, and strained relationships. “Research suggests it often works alongside other defenses like repression and rationalisation, which can exacerbate emotional distress (McWilliams, 2011). To prevent this, it’s important to be aware of your emotions, address their root causes, and practice mindfulness. Scheduling time for self-reflection, journaling, meditation, and activities you enjoy helps process emotions. Regularly checking in with yourself, communicating your needs, and building a support system are crucial for mental well-being,” suggests Garg.