Mind power

  I recently came across a book—I haven’t read it yet, but I’ve added it to my list. The title is “Depression Hates a Moving Target.” What a powerful title! It hits hard, and it’s so true. Growing up, I had anxiety issues. I was constantly restless and lived in a general state of fear, nothing specific but just an underlying unease. I remember my parents giving me small household tasks in the evenings, like dusting or sweeping or folding clothes. At first, I hated it. It felt boring and I never wanted to do it. (Not doing was not an option back then L ) I would begin with hesitation, but soon I’d feel something shift inside me. My heart became lighter. I realized these cleaning activities weren’t just about tidying the house, they were clearing something within me too. Since these tasks didn’t require much thinking, my body moved on autopilot while my mind processed my thoughts and emotions. The simple movement helped me work through what I was feeling. I often ended up reflec...

Growing up, my emotional needs were often overlooked. On top of that, the traumatic experiences and challenging home environment of my childhood gave me a clear understanding of what I didn’t want for my future child and the kind of healthy and nurturing environment I wanted to create. Later in life, even before becoming a parent, I often found myself giving parenting advice to friends—helping them navigate challenges, understand different perspectives, strike a balance between being too strict or too lenient or gentle, and regulate their own emotions. They often wondered how I had such insight despite not having children of my own.  When I finally became a mother — after the painful loss of two newborn twins and navigating the emotional and physical toll of infertility treatments — I was excited to begin my parenting journey. But I quickly realized that I was unprepared for the unique challenges that lay ahead. My son, Dev, experienced developmental delays and exhibited possible s...