Painting by Pradip Goswami

I have a beautiful daughter, a very cooperative family, a caring husband, and a wonderful job. I live in a joint family. Everyone says that I have everything for which I should be happy. Of course! I am happy. But in spite of all, there is something that bothers me every day. The loneliness that I am dealing with is draining my passion and motivation.

In the fast-paced world of modern India, the hectic careers and demanding routines have unintentionally given rise to a concerning issue - the loneliness experienced by middle-class women. We as women, traditionally responsible for nurturing the family, often find ourselves isolated as the world around us speeds ahead.

In order to achieve careers and personal ambitions, the role of homemakers is often overlooked. Though we are the spine of our families, many times we grapple with feelings of emptiness. We are so engrossed with the duties towards our families, caring for the family - that the same become the sources of isolation as most women go unnoticed and uncelebrated.

The transformation of our society towards a modern lifestyle has left many Indian middle-class women disconnected from social circles. In this English-speaking world, though we are going out for our jobs and other work, there is an absence of meaningful interactions outside, because many times we feel that language is a barrier. The lack of opportunities to nurture our passions leads to feelings of confinement.

As a potential solution, it's important to acknowledge and address this issue. Families and society must recognize the value of women's contributions, both within and beyond the household. Encouraging women to pursue interests, connect with peers, or even engage in work and studies can reignite a sense of purpose and belonging.

I myself was going through this unnoticed loneliness. In spite of a very bright career that I was pursuing before motherhood, many times, I felt as if I was lagging behind and would not be able to match the pace with the fast-running lives of the modern world. I always fulfilled all my duties towards my family as a caregiver, nurturing mother, and a beautiful wife.

But many times, when I sat with my cup of tea, I used to wonder, am I only a homemaker? What were my aspirations? What were my dreams? I started to rework my personality, to reach my dreams. I started going out and interacting with people. I tried to take time for myself, to groom my inner self.

Meanwhile, I got to know about the course called Garima by SkillsTrainer. This is an intermediate-level Spoken English course that focuses on the holistic development of oneself. I learned a lot from this program which inspired and motivated me to rediscover my own identity, who am I, and what are my aspirations.

As we know communication is the key to a happy life. We can encourage everyone to create an environment where every member's emotional well-being is prioritized. Open discussions about individual aspirations, expectations, and challenges can help bridge gaps and cope with emotional issues like loneliness.

So now I can courageously say, I am not afraid anymore. I am not lonely anymore.

Loneliness needs not be the norm - it's time to ensure that we the tireless homemakers of our society find our own fulfilling identities and connections amidst the demands of family life.