What inspired you to write Depression and Other Difficult Circumstances?
Fatima Mandsaurwala: This book was born out of some of the heaviest seasons of my life—moments when I felt silenced by pain but also found words as my only outlet. I wanted to capture those emotions honestly, not only for myself but anyone who has ever felt trapped inside their mind. The inspiration was simply life itself—its weight, its messiness, and the hope that somehow, even in despair, we are not alone.
How does this collection differ from your earlier works, Every Hue and Pieces of Us?
Fatima Mandsaurwala: Every Hue explored the spectrum of emotions and identity, while Pieces of Us leaned into relationships and the fragments we carry from them. Depression and Other Difficult Circumstances is more raw and intimate. It strips away layers of polish and speaks directly from a place of vulnerability. It’s less about observation and more about survival. This collection faces the darkness head-on and shines a light on the things people don’t speak of.
Many of your poems address mental illness and trauma. How do you approach such sensitive themes?
Fatima Mandsaurwala: I write with honesty, but also with care. My goal isn’t to sensationalize pain but to give it language. I approach these themes the way one might hold something fragile—with gentleness, respect, and awareness that my words may mirror someone else’s lived experience. I think empathy and understanding go a long way.
Did writing this book feel like a form of healing for you?
Fatima Mandsaurwala: Yes, in many ways it did. Writing allowed me to process emotions I couldn’t voice out loud. It gave shape to confusion, grief, and fear. Writing is the way I express myself; it becomes an outlet for my feelings of despair and heartache. Healing is never linear, but putting those feelings into poems made them less overwhelming and, over time, less isolating.
Which poem in the collection is closest to your heart, and why?
Fatima Mandsaurwala: Probably, The First Five days —it resonates deeply with me as a mother and woman. It reminds me that even in exhaustion, there is resilience. That poem feels like a mirror of my journey. It is a deeply personal poem that was written when my daughter was six months when I was reflecting on how unbelievably difficult it was for me to hear her cry constantly. It broke my heart. It explores my struggles with motherhood. The strain, the stress, and the inherent loneliness that come with postpartum life, the feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt that are often at the forefront for new mothers. An unfortunate reality of our lives is that we usually ignore the feelings of new mothers because of what we believe they “should” be feeling. They should be happy and fulfilled. But the reality is often very different for most mothers.
Motherhood is a recurring theme in your writing. How has it shaped your poetry?
Fatima Mandsaurwala: I’m a new mother so motherhood and whether or not I’m fitting the role properly is constantly on my mind. Those feelings provide constant inspiration. Furthermore, motherhood has made my writing both softer and sharper. Softer because it’s filled me with tenderness and a sense of awe. Sharper because it’s heightened my awareness of time, responsibility, and the depth of love and sacrifice. It has taught me to see the world through my daughter’s eyes while also confronting my own limitations.
What message do you hope readers take away from this collection?
Fatima Mandsaurwala: That it’s okay to feel deeply, even when those feelings are dark. That brokenness does not mean the absence of beauty. And most importantly, that they are not alone—someone else has walked through similar shadows and come out with words to share.
Who are the poets or writers that inspire your work the most?
Fatima Mandsaurwala: I’ve always been drawn to poets who write with unflinching honesty—Sylvia Plath, Rupi Kaur, Mary Oliver, and Ocean Vuong. Each of them, in their own way, has shown me how poetry can be both intimate and universal.
How do you balance teaching, writing, and motherhood?
Fatima Mandsaurwala: It isn’t easy, and balance is rarely perfect. I write in stolen moments—late at night, early mornings, or in the quiet between responsibilities. My other responsibilities demand a lot, but they also feed my writing with real-life textures, stories, and emotions.
What advice would you give to readers struggling with the difficult circumstances you explore in this book?
Fatima Mandsaurwala: Give yourself permission to feel without judgment. Healing takes time, and it doesn’t always look the way we expect it to. Reach out—to friends, to family, to professionals—because you don’t have to carry everything alone. And if words bring you comfort, write them down. Sometimes, simply naming the pain is the first step toward light.
Where is your book available and from which platforms can readers buy it?
Fatima Mandsaurwala: It’s available in Indian and Internationaly as a Paperback & Ebook on Amazon, Google Books, Flipkart, and Kindle. You can also buy it directly from the publishers at l
Are you on social media and how can readers connect with you?
Fatima Mandsaurwala: I’m active mostly on Instagram. My handle is @fatima.sombody.
About the author
Fatima Mandsaurwala is a writer, teacher, and mother whose poetry gives voice to the often unspoken experiences of mental illness, trauma, motherhood, heartbreak, and healing. With a background in education and a deep compassion for the complexities of being human, her work is rooted in honesty, empathy, and emotional truth. Depression and Other Difficult Circumstances is her third poetry collection, following Every Hue and Pieces of Us—both of which explore themes of identity, love, loss, and the many shades of personal transformation. When she’s not writing or teaching, Fatima is most at home in the quiet, tender moments of motherhood and in the healing stillness between words.
- Amazon IN: https://www.amazon.in/dp/9349168340
- Kindle: https://www.amazon.in/dp/B0FMQ43G9Y
Book review of Depression and Other Difficult Circumstances: https://literatureslight.com/depression-and-other-difficult-circumstances-poetry-fatima-mandsaurwala/
