B7: The day when crying will be normalized.

 

“The soul would have no rainbow, had the eyes no tears”-John Vance Cheney

The day when crying will be normalized.

[ Four students of the Student Council were sitting in the discussion room, debating about which new committee should be formed]

Alice: Guys, I really think we should go with the Cleaning and Hygiene committee.

Gaurav: We already have many campaigns being conducted by different committees to look after that, Alice. Come up with something new!

(Alice frowned)

Danish: Well then, what about a Crying Club?

All: A Crying Club?! (in confusion)

Priya: Is this because of your fight with Rajveer Sharma, the President of the Laughter Club?

Danish: Of course not. Look guys I have a point, let me explain it.

Gaurav: It better be good Danish, because we have to submit a plan by tomorrow noon to Miss Patil.

Alice: I doubt it’d be better than mine.

Danish: Okay cool. So understand this point that we have a Laughter Club because it is healthy to laugh, we have a sports club for sports .. again healthy for us, we have all committees working for a clean environment (looking at Alice as if taunting), we have cultural, reading, etc., etc., clubs and all intend to benefit students, us. And hence a Crying Club. Because crying is important and it is socially not accepted as laughing. We need this club to make Crying Normal.

Priya: Agreed, the other day, I was crying and people made fun of me, irrespective of my position in the Student Council. But when I was laughing they all joined me. Stupid. (displayed anger).

Gaurav: Well, tell me about it. I was crying because my mother scolded me in front of everyone and rather than empathizing, people started saying to me, “Don’t cry like a girl, boy. Get up wipe those tears, and be a Man”(mimicked arrogant voice). I mean is crying a gender thing?

Danish: Yes, now you are getting my point. I mean ‘No’ to what you asked but yes this is what we want to work on. I want to cry carefree on the fact that my favorite character is dead or when I am physically hurt or mentally in pain, without a single person passing comments on me or on my masculinity. I am not insecure about it, I cry whenever I want but some people don’t cry, they keep their emotions within them…. buried. We need to help those people to make them believe that crying is normal and they can cry and feel their emotions. I mean isn’t it said, “Happiness multiplies with sharing, and sorrow reduces with sharing”. I might have not used the correct words but you all get me right?

Alice: Okay let's consider your plan for a second, but then how will you bring people in? (Alice scoffed)

Danish: We will for sure need a strong campaign. Look crying or expressing your emotions isn’t popular among youngsters, they consider it as a weakness and no one wants to be weak, they all want to be strong. I mean dude even Iron Man cried! We need to make them know that crying is as healthy as laughing. When you cry it releases stress. It removes toxins from the body and releases stress hormones.

Priya: Oh yes and it also helps you elevate your mood by lowering manganese levels. High level of manganese causes issues like loss of appetite, slowed growth, and reproductive issues as well as anemia. It also releases oxytocin and endorphins.

Gaurav: Yes Miss Nerd, but with physical health, it also helps in improving a sense of well-being and it reduces pain. We can realize that something is wrong and we can ask for help. I mean if I see someone crying, I immediately approach them to know if they are fine, this helps them believe that they are not alone and can get help!

Alice: I hate to say it but maybe this club will help us remove the taboo of people crying, especially males and elders. Also, it will help us eradicate the stereotype of “Women Cry”, “Don’t Cry Like A Girl!”, “Man Feel No Pain”, and “Boys Don’t Cry”. We can remove gender insecurity from people for expressing their emotions. Boy or girl, man or woman, young or old, we can all cry to ease our pain, to let the negativity and sadness flow out of our bodies.

Source: BetterHelp 

Priya: Yes Alice, you made a good point here. We are the young generation if we cannot change the old ones we can change the thinking of the new generations. If stereotypes and phobias related to expressing emotions like sadness, pain, or sorrow are removed we can help a lot. People who don’t express themselves well often, they face depression, anxiety, stress, and then severe cardiovascular diseases.

Danish: And hence, if we make this Crying Club, where people can come in groups, share their sorrows, cry a bit if they want, it will make them feel good. They will be lifted from the burden of carrying all the pain alone. It will also make them aware that they are not the only ones suffering, there are people like them and it is Normal to cry, Normal to feel, and Normal to express the deepest fears and sorrows of your life. This will help them get help.

Gaurav: Very well then, Danish. For getting participation we can conduct a seminar by some experts on this topic. Let us work on the presentation and hope to get it sanctioned.

Priya: I can’t wait to cry without being judged!

Alice: You should cry without thinking about being judged, Priya. It is your emotion and you are free to express it and this is what we need to promote.

Danish: Presenting to you the Crying Club where crying is normal!

Everyone together: Crying is NORMAL!!!!!!!!

 I cry under the blanket,
To hide my pain
My pillow is all wet,
And my energy in vain,
I wish I could tell,
The sad tale,
The next thing I remember,
I fight like a slayer,
For crying is good,
For crying is normal,
I feel so lifted,
For my pain is drifted.

By,
Humaira Kazi.