G R I E F…. What Zambians Are Feeling Right Now Is Grief — And It’s Okay to Acknowledge It.
Hey Zambia, let’s be honest. We’re all feeling a bit off lately, and it’s not just the drought or load shedding. There’s a heavy feeling in the air, like something’s missing. It’s grief. And no, not the kind that comes from losing someone, but the grief that comes from losing our ‘normal’ lives. We’re grieving the little things, like a hot cup of tea, a fridge that actually keeps your food cold, and let’s not forget — a good night’s sleep without being woken up by the sound of a generator or the beep of your phone’s low battery.
Since April 2024, we’ve been in survival mode. The drought hit us hard, reservoirs dried up, and power? Well, that’s been a distant memory for most of us. Three hours of electricity every two days is the new ‘normal’ — and it sucks. This isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s like someone pressed pause on life as we knew it. We wake up wondering: “Will there be power today? Will I be able to cook? Work? Charge my phone?” Every single day is a gamble.
It’s exhausting, really. All those little routines we had? Gone. Making tea in the morning? Nah. Fridge stocked with fresh food? Forget it. Being able to sit down and actually focus on work? A dream. And so, we’ve adapted the best we can — some who have managed have turned to solar panels and generators, others are back to cooking on charcoal like it’s 1999. But even with these solutions, it still feels like we’re missing something bigger. Even those that bought solar have not planned it all through, many are overwhelmed by its use.
These power cuts aren’t just about the lights going out; they’re emotional. They remind us daily that things are ‘not okay.’ It’s like we’re stuck in this never-ending loop of hoping for stability and being disappointed. And it’s more than just frustration. It’s real, deep-down, heavy ‘GRIEF” — for the lives we used to have, for the routines we took for granted, and for the peace of mind we’re all craving.
And then there’s the toll on our relationships. Patience is running thin, and it’s easy to snap at the smallest things. Why? Because we’re all carrying this unspoken weight. It’s tough navigating life when everything feels uncertain, and it’s even tougher trying to keep it together when the lights go out again.
Yes, we’re trying to cope. We joke about it; we share tips on how to make those precious 3 hours of power count, but deep down? We’re all grieving. And it’s time we acknowledged that. This isn’t just about power cuts or load shedding; it’s about the emotional rollercoaster we’ve been on since this crisis started. We’re grieving the loss of predictability, the loss of convenience, and the loss of peace of mind.
So Zambia, let’s give ourselves some grace. It’s okay to be frustrated, tired, and yes — even to feel a little defeated at times. This is a tough situation, and it’s okay to admit that it’s wearing us down. We’re all in this together, and that’s something to hold onto. Let’s talk about it, lean on each other, and maybe, just maybe, we’ll come out of this with a stronger sense of community — and our sanity intact. Ubuntu Mwebantu!
LISTEN! I understand that for many, reaching out for psychological help can feel like an impossible task right now — whether due to time, affordability, or simply being too overwhelmed by everything. That’s why I invite you to keep checking in here on this page. I’ll continue sharing reflections like this to help you navigate your thoughts, feelings, emotions, and behaviors during this uncertain experience we’re all going through. Feel free to share in the comments if any part of this resonates with you or if you have specific questions about your mood, sleep, or insecurities during this time. As KEN DUMBO Comedy would say on Kwithu FM 93.3 KWITU FM, chosa pa mkohosi — let’s get it off our chests. Dr Naeem Dalaal
#MulunguAkuDaliseni
#WeGotThisTogether
G R I E F…. What Zambians Are Feeling Right Now Is Grief — And It’s Okay to Acknowledge It.
