28/05/2026
People say grief comes in stages, but for me, it never moved in a straight line. Losing both of my parents in 2021 changed everything at once. At the same time, the world was locked down because of covid, and I slowly became isolated not only physically, but emotionally. I developed social anxiety from being disconnected for so long, and there were days when simply existing felt heavy.
To escape the depression, I travel again like I used to. It was my way to run away from the pain and silence that waited for me at home. But somewhere between airports, beaches, nature, unfamiliar streets, and meeting new people, I started finding small reasons to stay alive again. Traveling did not erase my grief, but it reminded me that life could still hold beauty even after loss.
That is why grief is not linear. Some days I felt okay, free, and hopeful. Other days, the sadness returned without warning. Healing was never a straight upward path. But through traveling and slowly reconnecting with the world and people, I learned that moving forward does not mean forgetting. It simply means learning how to live while carrying the loss with you.