My Story; How I Walked Away From An Unhappy Marriage
I consider my story important to share because it shows that difficult times eventually pass. From a young age, I noticed that my family was struggling financially. My father worked hard, but his earnings were not enough for a comfortable life. On top of that, my mother had bipolar disorder and other mental health issues, though getting a proper diagnosis was difficult back then. Despite it all, I am a happy and self-reliant woman who has found joy in living life on my own terms. Thinking back on my past still gives me a jolt.
My mother, father, or older sister were the only members of my family with whom I never felt a close bond. My beloved grandmother passed away when I was only a little girl. I didn’t have pocket money growing up, so I had to work as a tutor to make ends meet in high school. My emotional pillars were my best pals, Alice, Mansi, and Sree.
When my sister started exhibiting symptoms of mental illness and received a bipolar disorder diagnosis, things got much worse. I made an effort to get my mother and sister the care they needed, but I found it difficult to relate to them on an emotional level. It was too much for me to handle on my own because I was a young, inexperienced person.
It was hard for me to connect with my family because of the difficulties at home, and I frequently felt alone. In Kolkata, I completed my education and pursued a degree in mathematics. Even though I loved math, I was worn out and needed to start working by the time I finished my bachelor’s degree in 1995. I had to provide for my family because my sister’s marriage had ended in divorce and my father’s income was insufficient.
I tried a few odd jobs, but I never felt like I belonged until I met Rohit, a vibrant guy who ended up being my partner. Sadly, it turned out that marrying Rohit was a mistake. A few months went by before I understood how unhappy I was. Although he wasn’t a decent spouse, Rohit was a good person.
I felt confined and alone because of his rage and frequent absences. I waited for his call on numerous holidays and birthdays, but it never arrived.
I went into a deep depression because I felt mistreated and undervalued. I started taking medication, went to a psychiatrist, and kept this to myself. For my own happiness, I knew I had to change, even if it meant living alone. I was afraid of the societal stigma and the impact divorce would have on my family, so it took me some time to come to terms with the concept. However, I followed through and returned home.
It was difficult to deal with questions and criticism from neighbors, but my therapist suggested that I concentrate on what I love. I grew passionate about teaching. Since social media wasn’t an option at the time, I personally handed out flyers promoting my math tutoring services. I got a call one morning from a parent who wanted to sign up their daughter. For me, that marked the beginning of a new chapter.
I am a self-assured math tutor now, and I have lots of students that value my work. I appreciate simple things like sipping tea on my balcony and watching movies by myself. I have enough money to maintain my family.
I’ve learnt to be happy on my own and no longer depend on other people to make me happy.
In addition, I am a vocal supporter of mental health and work to eradicate the stigma associated with it. I know firsthand how anxiety can undermine your confidence and emotional health when you choose to remain in an unhappy marriage. Even if I made mistakes, I no longer avoid talking about my history. I tell people that despite the difficulties of my trip, I have found strength and joy within myself. If you’re having trouble, never forget to have faith in yourself. It does get better.
