You know, there was a time when I thought my life was completely over. It feels strange to talk about it now, but I think sharing this with you might help someone out there who’s feeling the way I once did. So, let me tell you my story…

My life started with “The End” ,the first step in adulthood was “Divorce” .It all started when I was 21, full of hope and naïve dreams about what marriage was supposed to be. I had this picture-perfect idea in my head, the kind you see in movies or read about in fairy tales. I thought love would solve everything. But life? Life had other plans.

It wasn’t even fine or normal for a single day of marriage, first step being married was like entering in an unknown battlefield. I really don’t know what being married feels likes, I have not known for a single moment of life how it feels to be dependent on someone. With each passing day of 3 months of married life I had, the cracks , disagreements, misunderstandings just kept growing into something bigger and even more stressful. Before I knew it, the relationship I had once cherished as my first love became this overwhelming source of pain.

There were moments that broke me, moments I’d rather not even revisit. Things happened that left me questioning my worth, questioning everything I believed in. Some of those memories still visit me in my nightmares. Divorce was never something I thought I’d face, and when it finally happened, I felt like I’d failed—not just as a wife, but as a person.

The emotion of confusion, fear, guilt, shame, anger, helplessness, grief and loneliness became my friends. I’ll admit, there were times when I felt so angry at the world, at myself, even at God. That I just wanted to end my life and finish this daily cycle of pain. But somehow, deep down, there was this tiny spark of hope, a voice that whispered, “You’re stronger than this.” And I guess that’s where it all began—that stubborn belief that I could pull through. This voice was my upbringing and my family’s values that were deep rooted in valuing love & faith as the main source of life.

This belief and faith, brought in me a never ending hope towards life, empathy & compassion helped me built strength & resilience. There were days when I couldn’t even get our of bed or open the light of room for entire weekend, trying to feel something—anything—that connected me to the universe, to something bigger than myself.

I used to go to every temple, gurudwara or worship place, I don’t know if I was searching for answers around “Why me?” or just finding comfort in the extreme pain that i felt , but what I found was this quiet strength that lay inside me. It isn’t dramatic; it was just enough to keep me moving forward, one step at a time.

I threw myself into work. Honestly, it felt like the only thing I could control. And you know what? I thrived. It wasn’t easy—there were days when I felt like I was dragging my heart around like dead weight—but every small success reminded me that I was capable, that I could still build something meaningful.

But here’s the thing that really surprised me: even after everything I’d been through, I never became bitter. Don’t get me wrong, there were moments of anger, moments of doubt. But I couldn’t bring myself to hate the world, or even the people who’d hurt me. I guess I just understood what it felt like to be broken, and that made me want to help others even more.

It’s funny, isn’t it? The very thing that almost destroyed me ended up becoming my greatest strength. People started coming to me—friends, colleagues, even strangers—to talk about their own struggles. I don’t know why they trusted me, but I think it’s because I listened without judgment. I’d been there, you know? I knew what it felt like to carry pain in silence.

They’d ask me, “How do you stay so strong?” And honestly, I’d tell them the truth: I didn’t always feel strong. There were days when I wanted to give up. But I learned that strength isn’t about never falling—it’s about getting back up, even when it feels impossible.

My faith in the universe played a big role in that. I started to see these little signs, these moments of synchronicity that reminded me I wasn’t alone. It’s hard to explain, but it felt like the universe was saying, “I’ve got you. Just keep going.”

Forgiveness was a big part of my healing, too. Not just forgiving others, but forgiving myself. I had to let go of the guilt, the shame, the “what-ifs” that kept me trapped in the past. Forgiving doesn’t mean forgetting or excusing what happened—it means freeing yourself from the weight of it. And let me tell you, that freedom is worth everything.

Looking back now, I can hardly recognize the person I was. The girl who thought her life was over has become a woman who knows her worth, who’s unshakably strong and compassionate. My scars are still there, but they’ve become a part of me—a reminder of what I’ve overcome.

If I could tell you one thing, it’s this: no matter how dark it feels right now, there’s always a way forward. Life doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful. Your struggles don’t define you; how you rise from them does. And believe me, you have so much more strength than you realize.

So, my friend, if you ever find yourself in the kind of darkness I once knew, hold on to hope. Trust that the universe has a plan for you, even if you can’t see it yet. And remember, scars aren’t a sign of weakness; they’re proof of survival.

Thanks for listening to my story. I hope it helps, or maybe someone finds a little light in the dark. You’re never alone in this journey—and you’re stronger than you think.