Raksha Bandhan Isn’t Between Brother and Sister, It’s You vs. Your Own Mind

Raksha Bandhan is a beautiful tradition a thread tied in love, a promise of protection between siblings. But as we grow older, we begin to realize: not all dangers are outside us. Some live quietly within in the form of doubt, guilt, comparison, and fear. And no one teaches us how to deal with that. What if the real raksha we need today isn’t from others, but from the voices in our own head? What if the one who needs protecting… is you from you?


Your mind is always running. Planning. Judging. Replaying. Regretting. And sometimes, without even noticing, it turns against you. Here are just a few quiet battles you might be fighting:
These voices don’t sound loud. But they shape how you live, how you love, and how you show up in the world.


We’re taught to protect others. But not ourselves. Especially not from our own thoughts. Inner Raksha means developing the ability to pause before we spiral, to speak gently when we’re hurting, and to draw boundaries that protect our peace. It’s the act of becoming your own safe place especially when the world feels overwhelming, or when your mind won’t stop racing.

• We’re constantly connected, but deeply anxious. Social media, news, and hustle culture fuel comparison and burnout.
• Mental health struggles are becoming more common but still quietly judged.
• We know how to survive but we’ve forgotten how to feel safe inside.

If you don’t learn to guard your own peace, you’ll end up protecting everyone but yourself. Inner Raksha isn’t just a concept. It’s a decision stop letting your mind be a battlefield.


Here are some common ways we turn against ourselves and what quiet protection could look like instead:
The Problem: You replay conversations, imagine disasters, and can’t switch off.
Try This:

• Write down the thought
• Ask: Is this helpful or just noise?
• Remind yourself: Not every thought needs a response

The Problem: You scroll through social media and feel behind in life.
Try This:

• Unfollow people who trigger insecurity
• Say this out loud: “Someone else’s life isn’t proof that I’ve failed”
• Measure your growth from your past, not someone else’s present

The Problem: You can’t disappoint others, so you keep betraying yourself.
Try This:

• Pause before replying. Say, “Can I get back to you?”
• Practice one small “no” a day start with low-stakes things
• Remember: Saying no doesn’t mean you’re unkind it means you’re clear

The Problem: You keep replaying past mistakes or regrets.
Try This:

• Journal: What did I learn that I couldn’t have learned any other way?
• Ask: Would I talk to someone I love the way I talk to myself?
• Make space for the truth: You did the best you could with who you were then

The Problem: You only feel valuable when you're productive.
Try This:

• Schedule rest like it’s a meeting
• Remind yourself: You’re not a machine you’re a human
• Protect your peace as if your future depends on it (because it does)

Here are small, daily ways to protect yourself from your own mind:

Raksha Bandhan reminds us that love protects. But the love we often forget is the one we owe ourselves. Tying a thread for others is beautiful but tying one for your own healing is powerful. You don’t need to fix everything overnight. Just begin by not abandoning yourself when things get hard. This year, let Raksha Bandhan be a quiet turning point. A moment where you choose to protect your mind, your peace, and your voice gently, but firmly. Because sometimes, the rakhi that saves you… is the one only you can tie.

Unlock insightful tips and inspiration on personal growth, productivity, and well-being. Stay motivated and updated with the latest at My Life XP.

1. Can this idea of self-raksha be shared with children?Yes, it’s powerful to teach children emotional awareness early through ritual.
2. How does one respond to cultural pushback for self-raksha? Gently. You’re not rejecting tradition you’re deepening its meaning in a changing world.
3. Is tying a rakhi to myself symbolic or acceptable?Absolutely. It can be a personal ritual of self-commitment and healing.
4. Can this idea of self-raksha be shared with children?Yes, it’s powerful to teach children emotional awareness early through ritual.