One Day At A Time: How I Overcame Depression After Losing A Loved One

It’s strange how the absence of just one person can change your life. In 2020, I lost my beloved dadi and life hasn’t been the same for me. Losing someone who played a significant part in my childhood was heartbreaking and pushed me into depression. The mourning phase was nothing short of a nightmare because most people kept telling me to “move on”, and be “normal”. But that’s not how emotions work, right? Thankfully, I didn’t try to rush it, took my own time to process the grief, and fought my depression. One of the most crucial lessons I learned in the process? There’s no right way to grieve! On that note, here’s how I dealt with the loss of a person who I loved more than life.

P.S. A big hug to everyone who’s dealing with the same rn.

Acceptance Is The Key!

Face your feelings because running away from them won’t do you any good. I acknowledged the reality, the pain, and the grief albeit it was a hard pill to swallow. But once you accept the truth and make peace with it, it’s only going to be easier I promise.

DON’T Let People Drive Your Emotions!

Your grieving journey should be personal and sacred. Let no one tell you BS like “it’s time to move on” or “you should get over it”! It took me a while to realise that it’s okay to be furious, sad, frustrated, or anxious as long as you want. That said, It’s also okay to find lil’ moments of joy in between.

Plan Ahead For Grief Triggers

Special events like anniversaries, birthdays, and important milestones can bring back some painful memories. I prefer not to spend those days alone. It’s always better to have someone by your side in such sensitive moments.

Prioritise Self-Care

Now, I’m not asking you to do some heavy cardio or join a gym to be healthy. Instead, take baby steps and combat fatigue by eating right and getting enough sleep. More importantly, don’t use alcohol or drugs to numb the pain of grief. 

Talk To Someone!

This one’s got to be the most effective way to overcome the feeling of loss. Be it a therapist or a close friend, talking your heart out to them will always be helpful. That said, I recommend an experienced grief counsellor who would be able to guide you better.

Well, I still miss my dadi, and I guess I always will. But following these steps has made me a stronger person who’s able to manage her emotions better. Hope it works out for as well!

Feature Image: Author’s Own