“Living a full life is important
for me; it fuels my resilience”-
In the world of literature, there
are books that entertain, books that inform, and then there are books that have
the power to transform lives. "Chemical
Khichdi: How I Hacked My Mental Health" by Aparna Piramal Raje falls
into the latter category. Aparna Piramal Raje, a distinguished columnist,
writer on business and design, and a staunch mental health advocate, bares her
soul in this poignant memoir where she fearlessly discusses her battle with
bipolar disorder.
Aparna
Piramal Raje: The Woman Behind the Book
Before delving into the book's content, knowing the author is imperative. Aparna Piramal Raje is not just a name; she's an inspiration.
She is a proud mother, daughter and wife. In India, mental health is still an
unpopular subject that is often overlooked and not discussed. In her book "Chemical Khichdi: How I Hacked My Mental Health," Aparna Piramal Raje bravely discusses her own struggle with mental health issueBut what truly
sets her apart is her candidness about her own struggles with mental health.
Aparna's advocacy for mental health awareness goes beyond her words; it's a
journey that she courageously walks every day.
Unveiling
"Chemical Khichdi"
In "Chemical Khichdi," Aparna Piramal Raje doesn't
hold back. She shares her raw experiences with bipolar disorder, a mental
illness that affects millions globally. Through her writing, readers are
invited into her world, where emotions, struggles, and triumphs intermingle.
With an informal tone that engages readers, she paints a vivid picture of the
ups and downs of her journey, breaking down stigma along the way.
If you read this book, you understand many emotions and experiences
but the experience I feel the most is the feeling of a child wanting her mom presence and
kids supporting her in her illness and a mom who does everything in her power to
take care of her kids. However, there is an incident in the metro in London
that is one of the worst moments in her bipolaire life, and the poetry she shares
in her book is remarkable.
Aparna Piramal Raje's "Chemical Khichdi: How I Hacked
My Mental Health" is cleverly arranged into three sections. The first part
of her memoir explores the core of her experience—her life with bipolar
disorder. The idea of the "seven therapies," which include medical,
love, allies, job, self, spiritual, and lifestyle therapies, is introduced to
readers in Part Two. Through these therapies, Aparna investigates various aspects
of recovery and coping, emphasizing the value of friendships, self-care,
spirituality, and leading a balanced lifestyle. Part Three is Aparna's concluding section to reflect on her experiences, learnings, and
development. Health is defined as “Physical, mental, social and spiritual
well-being.” According to Chapter 11, I am sharing the key points of the
chapters, it’s not a summary.
- Living with Vulnerability is about accepting the difference between personality and illness and learning to love both. Bipolarity is a struggle but it was illuminating once I accepted it.
- The seven therapies are universal and they are complementary.
- Mental health is a team spot.
- Unburdening guilt and realizing that everyone needs looking after.
- Rediscovering agency, not looking at myself as a victim, and learning to live to my full potential.
- A post-Covid realization: Mental health can be managed remotely and globally.
- Praying Opposite- handed.
- Attending the Garden of Mental health-every day matters.
- Discovering the meaning of success, Happiness, and fulfillment.
- ‘Life is a Journey, not a destination.’
- The importance of having a conversation with yourself.
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