A Gentle Guide to Grief and Healing: Book Review of Sonali Gupta’s “You Will Be Alright”
In “You Will Be Alright: A Guide to Navigating Grief”, Sonali Gupta takes us on a journey through an emotional labyrinth…
Have you ever felt like the world has suddenly shifted beneath you? Like life, as you knew it, has changed beyond recognition, and you’re left trying to make sense of a rush of emotions that you can’t quite explain? That’s what grief feels like — a tidal wave that hits unexpectedly, leaving you to grapple with the overwhelming mix of sadness, confusion, and longing. Love and loss are forever intertwined, and while the pain of losing someone or something dear is immense, it also serves as a reminder of the depth of our connections. It’s like the words by Alfred, Lord Tennyson:
“I hold it true, whate’er befall;
I feel it, when I sorrow most;
’Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all.”
Grief is, in a way, a love letter to what we’ve lost.
In You Will Be Alright: A Guide to Navigating Grief, Sonali Gupta takes us on a journey through an emotional labyrinth, offering both understanding and practical advice. It’s as if she’s speaking to us as a friend, providing a sense of calm and guidance amidst the storm. As she writes,
“Everytime our dreams, relationships, and possibilities about the future seem to be fading away, we experience helplessness and carry a sense of loss within. So, hold space where you can be gentle and kind to yourself as feelings emerge, and loss begins to sink in. Remember, grief is about love lost.”
Gupta’s book isn’t just about how to cope — it’s about recognizing the complexities of grief, understanding its many layers, and learning to carry both love and loss together. Whether it’s the loss of a loved one, a relationship, or unfulfilled dreams, grief touches every part of us. Gupta doesn’t sugarcoat the experience but rather gives us permission to embrace the messiness of it all — the unpredictability, the guilt, and even the moments of relief. One of the things that makes this book so relatable is Gupta’s blend of heartfelt stories and practical advice. From handling uncomfortable silences from friends to navigating grief in the age of social media, Gupta understands the challenges and offers insights for dealing with them. Her words encourage self-compassion, reminding us that grief doesn’t follow a linear timeline and that it’s okay to move through it at our own pace. Drawing on her expertise as a psychotherapist, Gupta explores grief in all its forms — not just in response to death, but also in reaction to other major life changes, like the end of relationships, miscarriage, or career setbacks. She challenges common misconceptions about grief, such as the idea that it should follow a clear path or that closure is necessary for healing. Instead, Gupta advocates for embracing grief as part of the journey, honouring both the loss and the love that came before it.
In particular, Gupta addresses the cultural nuances of grief, especially in the Indian context, where societal norms often silence those who are grieving. She shares stories of people who felt isolated or even judged because of the way others responded to their loss, which highlights the unique struggles that cultural expectations can impose on those mourning. What makes You Will Be Alright even more powerful is Gupta’s focus on practical advice. Whether it’s finding ways to preserve a deceased loved one’s belongings, navigating grief in the digital world, or recognising when to seek professional help, the book offers tools to make the process of grieving feel more manageable. Her tone is gentle but firm, guiding readers toward self-care and healing.
Grief is intensely personal — it doesn’t follow a set pattern or timeline, and it can manifest in unexpected ways. It’s a journey that can be difficult to share with others, as no one can fully understand the depths of what we’re feeling. This is where a book like You Will Be Alright becomes invaluable. It provides a safe space to explore grief, offering both comfort and understanding without judgment. Books like this become personal companions, giving us permission to take our time and reminding us that we are not alone in our experience of loss.
This review is written by in exchange for a review copy from India.
