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Feeling Lost After a Visa Rejection? It's Okay

Answered 11 August 2025 at 11:45 pm PKT

Hina, it's absolutely natural and valid to feel devastated when something you've planned and hoped for so intensely doesn't work out. What you're experiencing sounds a lot like grief, and it’s important to understand why.

My university visa got rejected for Canada after two years of planning. I feel like my dreams are shattered and I've lost my future. Is it okay to feel this devastated?

It's completely okay, Hina, to feel devastated when your university visa for Canada was rejected, especially after two years of planning. This isn't just about a document; it's about the loss of a future you envisioned, the dreams you built, and all the hard work you put in. Many people experience similar feelings of deep sadness and disappointment when a major life plan falls apart, and it's a very real form of grief.

Grief isn't just for losing a person; it's what we feel when we lose anything significant – a job, a relationship, or in your case, a cherished dream and a specific path for your future. The feelings of shock, anger, sadness, and even a sense of injustice are all normal parts of processing such a significant loss. Please know that this devastation is a direct reflection of how much this opportunity meant to you.

Allow yourself to truly feel these emotions without judgment. Trying to push them away or pretending you're fine can actually make the process harder. Give yourself permission to cry, to feel angry, or to just sit with the sadness. This isn't a sign of weakness; it's a sign of a strong heart acknowledging a real loss.

It can be really helpful to talk about what you're going through with someone you trust – a close friend, a family member, or even Zara here at depression.pk. Sharing your feelings out loud can lighten the load and help you process them. Sometimes, just having someone listen without judgment can make a huge difference, especially when you might feel pressure from 'log kya kahenge' about this setback.

While it feels like your future is shattered right now, remember that this is a setback, not the end of your story. Give yourself time to mourn this particular path, and then, when you feel ready, start thinking about what other doors might open for you. This might involve exploring other universities, different countries, or even a new kind of opportunity you hadn't considered before.

In the meantime, focus on small acts of self-care. This could be anything from enjoying your favorite chai, listening to music, spending time in nature, or connecting with loved ones. Be gentle with yourself during this difficult period. Your dreams are not gone; they might just need a new direction, and you have the strength to find it.

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Answered by the Depression.pk team
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