The interpretation of loss is unique to individuals, while it leaves others feeling a void, some learn to make peace with it.
Swati is a bold and courageous 36-year-old from the city of Mumbai, whose definition is class, cinema and colours. She is grounded in her profession as an HR in Puma and mentions having moved there for her job’s outlook. She enjoys reading self-help books, focuses on her fitness religiously and is always on her toes with working out.
Swati is a B.Com and an MBA Graduate who finished it from reputed institutes in Mumbai. She comes from a close-knitted family of 4. Her father was a striving government employee and her mother was a housemaker. Her younger sister is married and lives with her husband.
“Growing up felt very safe and comfortable for a lot of reasons and I owe it all to my parents for being around me and my sister and helping us in the lives we have today.”
Swati’s idyllic life came to a standstill owing to an unfortunate tragedy. The phase of Covid 19 utterly subverted her life. The devastating virus led to the demise of both of her parents. As someone who has always been close to her family was impelled to live alone.
“I try hard to not think about my problems but it is like a never-ending loop. The last moments of seeing them alive were heartbreaking. I wish I could tell them how much I loved them.”
The loss of one’s parents is undoubtedly devastating. It is a pain none of us would ever want to go through. The absence of their love, support, and guidance causes an enormous void and grief that feels impossible to fill. The hardships Swati must have faced are beyond our ability to comprehend. Words can’t even begin to describe her plight.
“I am grateful that I had parents who cared so much for my sister and me. I wasn’t particularly tight with my mother when I was little, but as I grew older, I became closer to her.”
Living in a PG with other hostel mates helped her cope better, but when she moved to Bangalore for work, loneliness crept in. Despite how painful it was, Swati knew she had to cope with her grief and heal herself.
Though she knew it wouldn’t be easy to do so alone. Thus Swati decided to seek professional help through her company’s wellness partner – YourDOST.
“I met Ms. Tulika via YourDOST and I couldn’t have asked for a better therapist. She gave me the support I needed to process my feelings”
Ms. Tulika understood Swati. She wanted to help her in the best way possible. She introduced the 5-4-3-2-1 Technique to Swati along with grounding and breathing exercises. She also asked Swati to keep using affirmations and to keep reminding herself that she is a strong woman.
As an expression of gratitude to her counsellor, Swati said,
“Thank you Superwoman for helping me through it all. You understood my pain as nobody else would and I am extremely grateful to you for being the person you are.”
She rated herself 3.9 out of 5 on a scale of getting better and believes that healing is not about forgetting the past, but about moving on with the lovely memories they left behind.
“I know all of this agony will help me persevere, and that everything will pass, but their memories will live on, and I am grateful for the time I had with my parents.”
Today, Swati feels she can relate to people better, especially those who’ve lost their family members. She is positive and optimistic about her healing journey. She is leading her life with the loving memories of her mum and dad. And we couldn’t be more proud of her.
Swati’s Warrior Tips:
1.“Always remember to ask for support when you go through difficult things.”
2.“Never give up on yourself. Instead, ask for help. It will reduce the burden.”
3.“Going through pain is different but understanding it is different.”
