Harika: Looking at the brighter side of life constantly, Harika joined HearMe about a month back. She tries to enjoy every moment of her life and approaches situations with an extremely optimistic outlook.

Kanishka: Kanishka joined the HearMe community 3 months back and has been making a valuable contribution since then. She enjoys artistic stuff and can play a lot of musical instruments. She is driven by a desire to help others and make this place a better one to live in.

How long have you been a Listener on HearMe?

Harika: I have been a part of HearMe for the past one month.

Kanishka: I joined the HearMe community about 3 months ago.

What made you decide to become a listener?

Harika: HearMe is a platform where we can be selfless in terms of helping others. You can inspire, also you will be inspired through every experience shared by users.

Kanishka: With the growing stress due to so many issues created by COVID-19, I thought maybe by becoming a listener I could help people vent about that.

What is your most memorable experience as a listener? What feelings does it bring?

Harika: Few users took a part in a survey, conveyed their love through words. Obviously, that gives me joy and it added more color to my life. So far, I had a wonderful experience.

Kanishka: Attending events hosted by the fellow community members and getting to know them was definitely the most memorable experience.

How would you describe being a listener to a friend?

Harika: I describe a listener as a “personal diary” and the user as a “writer”. A writer can pen down their experiences in their personal diary, where they won’t be judged by what has been written.

Kanishka: Being a listener has its up and downs but if you’re willing to give, it’s one of the best things that will happen to you.

How have you benefited from being a listener?

Harika: I benefit from every chat. Some might be struggling at the moment, but how they cope up with their past experiences tells me how strong they are. And also, it gives me an idea and impact of that issue.

Kanishka: I’ve become a more patient version of myself and have learned that there is so much wrong in the world that needs to be dealt with.

How would you describe HearMe to your friends and family?

Harika: Sometimes when we desperately need someone to talk to with or without reason or when we feel lonely, the HearMe app is like water in a desert.

Kanishka: HearMe comprises of many great, wonderful, amazing and hardworking people. Their overall goal of providing people a platform to vent is impeccable. I’d also tell them to try it when they feel like they need to talk about something.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself?

Harika: Whenever life gives me a chance to start over, I utilize it and make my best effort.

Kanishka: I can play a lot of musical instruments and I can also write artistic stuff.

What makes you feel inspired and motivated in your personal life?

Harika: I get inspired by everything and everyone. It might be a short speech or a huge life experience. It motivates me, that process is natural to me.

Kanishka: I guess I feel inspired and motivated by my own self.

What do you think is the best quality in a person?

Harika: Honesty is the best quality a person can have.

Kanishka: Patience is the best quality a person can have.

What is one challenge you have faced in life?

Harika: I cannot tell one in particular. Every experience is a lesson for me. If I must say one in particular, it would be when I had the first experience of living alone in a house, in a different city. I had mixed emotions for one night. Later, that ended up as the best experience I ever had in life.

Kanishka: Having to take a gap year to prepare for med school is one of the challenges I have faced.

What is your favorite coping skill when times are hard?

Harika: There are days even I have relied on my friends. Now I have learned, how to handle it on my own. I will add a hobby to divert myself, later on, I will start accepting the facts of the issue which helps me to move on.

Kanishka: Listening to songs helps me cope.

What is something kind that you can tell someone who is struggling?

Harika: We understand what you must have gone through, how well and bravely you have survived so far. You never know how many you have inspired in your journey till now!

Kanishka: Hold on, things do get better.