Laying down on the bed with an empty stomach and swollen eyes, with a tissue in one hand and a phone in the other, Sarah was scrolling through Instagram.

Reel after reel were swiped without listening to any, when suddenly a word written on one of those reels caught her attention for a moment.

“HEAL.”

That’s exactly what she needed to do. Yes, she needed to heal from the pain of her friend leaving her. She started watching that reel with full attention, as this was what she needed to hear in her current state.

“Healing is a difficult and long journey, but it gives you much back,” the girl in the reel uttered. “Healing is not looking back at what you lost, but being grateful for what you have. It is indeed a difficult journey, but only you can heal yourself! Get up and be the best version of yourself, and show those who left you that they have made a great mistake. You deserve more, girl!” echoed the girl in the reel.

She mustered some strength to get up, walked to the washroom and splashed water on her face. Determined to heal herself, she changed clothes. She put on a beautiful red frock, wore a necklace she had recently bought, and began engaging in various activities to occupy her mind.

While in the middle of completing a painting she had started earlier but left untouched for weeks now, a few thoughts popped up into her mind.

Was she truly healing by avoiding her pain? By running from her feelings? And not confronting the situation head-on?

“This is not how you heal, Sarah!” came a voice from inside her.

She stopped and sat on the floor, reflecting on everything that had happened. With tears rolling down her cheeks, she acknowledged the pain she was feeling and reminded herself that someone else’s behaviour doesn’t define her worth; she is worthy of love, care and true friendship. She recognised the hurt, the loss and the changes that had occurred.

Sarah embraced the first and most crucial step of healing, ‘acceptance’. She learned that healing isn’t about ignoring the pain; it’s about fully experiencing it and allowing it to teach you that you are no longer controlled by it.

It’s not about being free from pain, but about allowing yourself to feel it deeply without letting it linger for too long.

Published in Dawn, Young World, February 22nd, 2025