For Those Waiting for Life to Happen

Hi, my name is Salis Afaque. If you’re someone who’s been waiting for life to get better, for something good to finally happen, or for pain to make sense, this is my story. I hope it reminds you that even in the darkest of moments, there’s light waiting to be found. This is not just a timeline of events. It’s a journey of pain, growth, healing, falling, and rising again.

2008 – The Beginning of an Ending

In 2008, my life took its first major hit. I lost my mother. There’s a certain kind of emptiness that follows the death of a parent especially a mother that no words can truly capture. It was a pain I wasn’t prepared for. At such a young age, I was thrust into an emotional storm I didn’t know how to navigate. And that was just the beginning.

2011 – A New City, A New Struggle

In 2011, I moved to New Delhi for my senior secondary studies. The city was unfamiliar, big, and bustling with ambition. While others seemed to thrive in its energy, I felt lost. I tried to keep up, but deep inside, I was crumbling. The expectations were too high, and my mental health began to deteriorate.

2012 – The Fall

By 2012, I couldn’t take the pressure anymore. I fell into depression. A dark, lonely space that consumed every bit of me. I dropped out of school. For many, that might sound like failure. For me, it felt like survival. I didn’t have the tools to deal with what I was going through. I just knew I needed a pause.

2013 – A Year of Searching

2013 was a quiet year. From the outside, it may have looked like I was doing nothing. But inside, I was fighting every single day just to feel a little better. I didn’t know how to heal, but I was trying. Some days were better. Most weren’t. But I didn’t give up. That in itself became my first act of resilience.

Later that year, I decided to give school another shot. I got admission in a school in Patna, Bihar to complete my senior secondary education. It was a small but crucial step toward rebuilding my life.

2014 – Rock Bottom and a Spark of Hope

The first half of 2014 was brutal. I failed my board exams. That failure broke me in ways I can’t describe. I attempted suicide. And I failed at that too. That moment, lying in the aftermath of a failed attempt was strangely powerful. It made me realize that maybe, just maybe, I was still meant to be here.

In the second half of the same year, something unexpected happened. I fell in love. For the first time in a long while, I felt alive. With renewed hope, I appeared for the board exams again, this time through NIOS. I passed, and not just passed, I did well.

2015 – The Rise Begins

The first half of 2015 was a turning point. I launched an online magazine. What started as a simple idea soon grew into something significant. It resonated with people. It gave me purpose. I finally felt like I was building something of my own.

Later that year, I joined college in Noida to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism. For the first time in years, I felt like I was in the right place, doing something I was actually good at.

2017 – Life Happens Fast

The first half of 2017 brought a surprise. My girlfriend got pregnant. Many would have panicked, but we chose love and responsibility. We got married. She became my wife, and we faced our future together, hand in hand.

That same year, I launched Salis Mania, a new digital platform that would later become one of the biggest parts of my professional identity.

In December 2017, my life changed forever. My daughter was born. Holding her for the first time, I felt an overwhelming mix of fear, love, and responsibility. I wasn’t just living for myself anymore.

2018 – Creating a Safe Space

By 2018, our small family had grown stronger. We moved into a new, safer society in Noida. It had better facilities, more space, and felt like the beginning of a stable life. After years of uncertainty, it felt good to build a home physically and emotionally.

2019 – Scaling Up

In 2019, I doubled down on Salis Mania. I refined it, expanded its reach, and pushed myself creatively. It was more than a website. It was my voice, my story, my brand. I poured everything I had into making it better.

2020 – A Global Pause

Just when everything seemed to be falling into place, 2020 happened. The world shut down. COVID-19 brought everything to a halt. Our travels stopped. Work slowed down. The fear returned. But this time, I was different. I had a family. I had experience. And I had already learned how to fight through the dark. We stayed close, supported each other, and survived it together.

2022 – The Comeback

In November 2022, we hit the road again. Travelling with my family, exploring new places, and rediscovering joy reminded me of how far we had come. I focused again on growing Salis Mania. Smarter, faster, and with more passion. I looked back at the broken boy I once was, and I barely recognized him.

2025 – Now

It’s April 2025 as I write this. I’m not perfect. I’m not done. But I’m better than I’ve ever been. I’ve built a family, a brand, and most importantly a life I’m proud of.

I’ve been at rock bottom. I’ve failed. I’ve broken down. I’ve wanted to end it all. But I also got back up, fell in love, became a father, created something meaningful, and found my voice.

To Anyone Who’s Waiting…

If you’re reading this and waiting for life to “happen,” here’s what I’ve learned: life doesn’t happen all at once. It’s a slow burn, a rollercoaster, a dance of chaos and beauty. Sometimes, it breaks you. But sometimes, it builds you into someone you never imagined you could be.

You won’t always have the answers. Healing takes time. Success takes failure. And sometimes, love shows up when you least expect it.

So hang in there. Your story isn’t over.

It’s just beginning.

— Salis Afaque

Let's connect on Instagram @salisafaque