We all go through ups and downs in our lives. And for the most part, one person’s bad days cannot be compared with another’s. For a 15-year-old teen, the thing that sends them down the rabbit hole of misery might be being bullied in school. For someone in their 20s, it could be problems in their career graph. For some others, it could be a bad breakup, or an unhappy marriage they are stuck in or even a life-threatening disease.
Be what may the reason, while going through those tough times it often seems like the universe has turned against you and there is nothing you can do but give up.
However, Sonali Bendre’s Instagram posts ever since she revealed she’s been diagnosed with high-grade cancer that has metastised has been a beacon of inspiration for one and all.
The actress has been an open book about her treatment and all the changes that have come in her life due to the diagnosis. She’s penned emotional posts for her friends and family and has never once faltered in front of the bad deal that life dealt her.
Today, she took to Instagram again with yet another stirring post about the ups and downs she’s faced during her treatment process and the way she’s determined to handle them.
She begins her post with a quote by Cheryl Strayed:
“I knew that if I allowed fear to overtake me, my journey was doomed. Fear, to a great extent, is born of a story we tell ourselves, and so I chose to tell myself a different story from the one women are told. I decided I was safe. I was strong. I was brave. Nothing could vanquish me.”
Accepting that over the past few months she’s had both good and bad days, she writes:
“Over the past couple of months, I have had good days and bad ones. There have been days when I’ve been so exhausted and in so much pain that even lifting a finger hurt. I feel like sometimes it’s a cycle… one that starts off with physical pain and leads to mental and emotional pain. The bad days have been many… Post chemo, post-surgery and the like… where even just laughing hurts.Sometimes it felt like it took everything I’ve had to push past it… a minute to minute battle with myself. I got through it knowing that even though I was fighting a long drawn out, draining battle… it was one that was worth the fight.”
She continues, stressing on the importance of remembering that we’re all allowed to have these bad days:
I allowed myself to cry, to feel the pain, to indulge in self-pity… for a short while. Only you know what you’re going through and it is fine to accept it. Emotions aren’t wrong. Feeling negative emotions isn’t wrong. But after a point, identify it, recognize it and refuse to let it control your life.“
Sonali admits that it takes an immense amount of strength to get out of that zone. She also shares what helps her get through it:
“It takes an immense amount of self-care to get out of that zone. Sleep always helps, or having my favourite smoothie after chemo, or just talking to my son.”
She ends her post writing that, for now, her focus remains on getting better and coming back home.
Along with the thought-provoking post, she shared a photo of herself looking ever so beautiful and graceful while applying kohl on her eyes.
Sonali Bendre is living proof that life can turn your world upside down when you are least expecting it. Yet, the resilience and strength she has showcased over these past few months are truly inspiring. There is a lot we could learn from this gorgeous actress and the way she tackles everything that life throws at her. Get well soon, Sonali. We’re all rooting for you.