Originally published in November 2013
In 2012, I hit rock bottom. I was only starting to recover from the death of my father (who had passed away from cancer), when my mother was also diagnosed with the Big C. The mere concept that I would eventually lose two parents to cancer was paralyzing. I simply didn’t know what to do with myself.
Professionally, I had just begun my first job after a year of unemployment. I began working as a copywriter in an advertising agency where I found myself creating stories for brands I had zero attachment to. Between my unsatisfying job and the sadness that was my mother’s cancer, every aspect of my life began to suffocate me. So I got proactive, and decided to combine my two lifelong passions: television and writing.
TV has been my escape for as long as I can remember. When I immerse myself in a show that I love, everything but the story and the characters fade away for 40 glorious minutes. So one particularly busy afternoon at work, I chose to clear my head by starting up a little blog: Nad’s Reviews. I’d always been fascinated by reading in-depth analysis of my favorite shows, so I promised myself that I would write down a few lines after every episode of TV that I watched. And trust me, I watched a lot of shows.
So there I was, writing about things I actually cared about and using the writing skills that I had been carefully honing my entire life – it was beautiful. In fact, it gave me reason to wake up in the morning. I’d go to work, finish my deadlines, and reward myself upon my return by watching, and more importantly by writing, about my favorite shows. I began by writing an average of three lines per episode, and soon enough, I began producing fully-fledged essays (currently 2000 and counting). What storylines worked? Which didn’t? What dialogue stood out, and what masterful twist did I absolutely not see coming? I cherished every bit of it.
Later that year, my mother’s illness intensified. Weekly chemo visits piled up and we soon found ourselves living in the hospital for what soon became the most traumatic period of my life. But through it all, I kept writing. The blog gave me something to focus on.
A few months later, my mother passed away after an incredibly brave three-year battle with cancer. Still, I never stopped writing. In the year following my mother’s passing, I dedicated even more of my time to Nad’s Reviews. What began as an outlet for my sadness grew remarkably fast. People actually looked forward to reading what I had to say about their latest television obsessions. Their enthusiasm pushed me forward, and reinvigorated my spirit. Writing filled a void in my life.
Grieving and coming to terms with my mother’s passing was, and is still not, easy. My shows and my words (which shifted to Instagram a few months ago because well, you know) continue to offer me a silent escape from life’s anxieties. I have my family, my loving wife, my supportive circle of friends, the coolest job, and an online community that’s just as passionate about TV as I am. Take that rock bottom.
The rumors of me tearing up to this were greatly exaggerated. Good day.
I SAID GOOD DAY.
Very heartwarming and empowering. The circumstances under which your blog started are sad, but the outcome is extraordinary. It fills my heart with joy to see people with the same interests as me (writing mainly, and tv of course) get so far. Keep it up 🙂
Haha thank you Mario. I hope you're well!
Thank you so much Tala! I really appreciate your kind words 🙂
Wow dude!!
If I inappropriately hug you next time I see you, you have only yourself to blame!!
Wow. I am in awe of you, Nadim. Truly, thank for sharing your story with us. I had no idea that you have gone through all of that and now I feel like I know a little more about you. You and I both have an affinity for writing and writing saved both of us (though different circumstances). I, too, at one point hit rock bottom while living in the United States, and if it weren't for writing I don't think I would be here. So again I thank you for sharing and reminding us how precious and valuable life is and how important the arts are in life.
Hahahahahahahh! Thanks Tarek!
Thank you so much Alan. Much appreciated 🙂 Keep writing!!
Thank you for sharing and here's a string of better days in the future.
Thank you!!
Nadim, thank you for sharing with us the story about this impossibly hard time of you life and how you found the way to stay sane.
What a moving and lovely essay, Nadim. As someone who lost a parent a cancer, your description brought a tear to my eye. Keep writing.
Thank you so much Chris. One of my favorite online buddies 🙂
Thank you so much Sol 🙂 I truly appreciate it.
We watch the same shows, we love the same shows and almost every single time we react the same way to episodes, plots and characters. So I thought there was no way I could possibly love you any more!
And then you wrote THIS. The fact that you're able to share this with us shows just how far you've come, and the way you opened up didn't feel like you were writing another post–it felt like you were just telling ME these things. I've only known you for a few months, and yet I feel like we've been friends for a very long time.
It's been “Major Pleasure” (now you repeat: “Major Pleasure” while hand-saluting), Nadim. Again I say this, you rock!
Chris! Thank you for the awesome words! It is indeed scary how similar we are and I'm so glad you're part of the Nad's Reviews team. We have to find you a new show to cover now that HIMYM is over 🙂
Major Pleasure hand salute! Haha thanks again!
by encouraging me to watch many serials, you saved part of me through those very sad days & you are still saving me……
The best pieces of art ever created are the ones that share the deepest secrets and emotions….
This is when we feel with the author, and live their experiences and celebrate their triumphs!!
Nadim! What a beautiful entry! What a powerful young man you are!
You are an inspiration to MANY!
Never forget that….
Now I wipe my tears and prepare to face life!
What a sweet post Siroun. Thank you so much. I'll cherish it 🙂
And I'm glad that they are. I have many more to share with you auntie 🙂
You write with such ease and honesty it truly is amazing, wow!
Writing about what you love and sharing them is a gift that we will always cherish coming from you.
Have a blessed life, Nadim.
You deserve it.
Thank you Anne 🙂
Thank you so much Platinum. And I got your Facebook message as well. Much appreciated 🙂 All the best to you too.
Wow..
🙂
I never had a journey I didn't grow from and this one has obviously grown you, Nadim. I only regret that it was so hard for you, something no one deserves. But I am grateful that you have come to a point in your life where you could talk about it openly and share it, so that others can be comforted by it. The healing continues I know but you are so much stronger and more loving for having been through it. No? Perhaps I falsaf'id too much.
Definitely stronger 🙂 Thank you Francis. You didn't falsaf at all. Very true! Hope all is great with you!
Wow! I feel like both hugging you and giving you a high-five. Well done, Nadim. Stay well, stay strong, and keep writing. Maha.
Thank you so much maha 🙂 much appreciated
How deep and melancholic ! And through it all you clutched to the only way you found escape, which is writing. Much respect for your amition and yearning to proceed disregarding the grapple you faced and all the ordeals life has thrown at you.
Thank you so much for the kinds words 🙂