I Don't Recognize Myself Anymore
Assalamu alaikum. I’ve been dealing with really heavy sadness and constant worry for a long time. I think maybe all the stuff I watch online is making it worse. I got hooked on TV shows and movies, using them to run away from tough emotions, and I ended up obsessed with one drama for a whole year. I saw so many posts and videos that made me believe any criticism from parents was abuse. I filled my mind with content about being a victim of emotional abuse, and I started only noticing the ways I felt wronged, totally ignoring how much my parents actually love and support me. They’re not perfect, but I wasted so much time being disrespectful sometimes and bottling everything up, like a child. I just can’t seem to connect with people around me, and I don’t get why. I’m really quiet, and everyone thought that was just my personality, but it was because I never shared what was inside. I need to own my emotions and stop blaming everything on outside things and people. Lately, there’s a gap between my mother and me. I want so badly to fix it, but I don’t know what to say. I’ve always been close to her, but it was unhealthy-I lost myself in trying to always please her and avoid conflict. I gave up my own identity for the sake of keeping peace and fearing rejection. I feel so disconnected from Allah. My mind and heart are stuck in made-up worlds, movies, shows, music. I tried quitting all of it at once, and it feels like emotional torture. I need my heart to turn back to Allah, and I’m desperate to beat this sadness for my mother’s sake, so I can be a positive presence around her. I’m terrified. I have no clue who I am anymore. I completely lost myself by not taking care of my own needs. I really want to know how to heal. Alhamdulillah, for the past month I’ve been consistent with Quran and dhikr, but this depression is crushing me. I guess I’m just asking: it will get better, won’t it? I really need someone to tell me that right now. I’m not good at expressing my feelings, so I hope this makes sense.