Post wedding/marriage blues are very real. Sadly, they're not something that's really talked about. However, blues can often lead to depression, making it a serious topic to address. Unfortunately, the discussion of depression is quite taboo in our culture.
This is why I believe it's an important topic to write about.

For many girls I know, they didn't even know the 'blues' existed until they experienced them for themselves.

For those who haven't experienced it, it can feel kind of like this:
You're very happy because you've married the love of your life; You're so grateful to get to spend the rest of your lives together; You feel sad knowing that your wedding is now over; There are random days when you're down but don't know why; It's scary to think that your life has forever changed; You feel guilty for feeling the way that you do; You miss your family; But despite all of this, you couldn't be happier.

Confusing, I know. But anyone who has experienced them can sum them up the same way.

So why do we go through, 'Post Wedding Blues/Depression' and how can we deal with it?

Anti-Climactic:
On average, couples spend months to over a year, planning the wedding of their dreams. This consists of constant appointments, errands, and things to do. Suddenly, all of the planning, attention and excitement is over.

• Change Your Perspective: This is why we must change our perspectives. Don't think of your wedding as the climax. Avoid thoughts such as, "I put everything into planning a wedding, and now it's over." Instead, look at the wedding as the beginning of your lives together. You're fortunate to have married your partner whom you get to spend the rest of your life with, Insha'Allah. 

Loneliness:
Many brides get married off into their husbands families and have to live in a joint family for some time. Others move straight into a separate house with their husband. For myself, the loneliness stemmed from living alone with my husband. For someone who had grown up with 3 other siblings, I had become so used to having family around. And so, spending the majority of the day alone in an empty house became quite depressing.

•  Social Engagements: Don't isolate yourself completely from your family and friends, Yes, your partner should now be your priority; but, when you can, make time for your family and friends. Invite them over for dinner or go over to their homes. If you stop meeting everyone completely, it can really put you down; especially, if you're a very people-oriented person. 

• Hobbies: Everyone has a different activities that bring them peace. For myself, it was reading and improving myself. Among this was rereading "Hazrat Amman Jan (ra)" in order to make myself a better wife, daughter and mother (Insha'Allah). This not only helped me kill time but also let me gain religious knowledge, leading to more inner peace. 

Responsibilities:
For many, marriage can be an overwhelming shift from minimal responsibility to all the responsibility. You now have to divide up all the household responsibilities amongst yourselves. There's also a financial burden of having to deal with daily expenses. Basically, you now need to 'hardcore adult'. For someone with minimal experience doing tasks, this can be quite difficult.

• Experience: Girls, I know your mothers are always saying "Learn to cook! Learn to clean!" and I'm sorry to be the one to say this, but mother's are always right. Having experience doing things around the home can make the transition into marriage a whole lot easier! You won't be dealing with the emotional transition in to marriage alongside trying to cook a proper meal, do the laundry, or clean. And so, these responsibilities will feel a lot less stressful.

Just remember, marriage is the start of an amazing journey with your best friend! Before your marriage, during your marriage, and after your marriage,  continue to pray with each other and for each other. Once the blues have died down and you've become comfortable with this new 'normal', Insha'Allah your life will be better than you could have ever imagined. But remember, just like your life before marriage had good days, bad days, exciting days and boring days...your life after marriage will too. This does not mean that marriage is to blame. Life wouldn't be life without its ups and downs. But Insha'Allah you experience many more ups than you do downs.

I suggest the following prayer to all of you:

رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَاجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّاتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ وَاجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَاماً

Rabbana hab lana min azwajina wa dhurriyatina qurrata a`yunin wa’j`alna li’l muttaqina imama.

“Our Lord! Grant unto us spouses and offspring who will be the comfort of our eyes, and give us (the grace) to lead the righteous.” [Qur’an, 25:74]

Most couples experience the 'blues' after marriage. Please keep in mind that the blues are short term and have different symptoms. If, however, they lead to depression like symptoms, I advise you to seek medical help!

Blues:

• Sadness, 'empty' feeling
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities you once enjoyed
• Restlessness

Depression:

• Fatigue
• Inability to sleep
• Feeling worthless
• Difficulty concentrating
• Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

If you experience the symptoms of depression for five or more recurring days you may have depression. Your doctor can help screen you for depression and help you manage and treat your symptoms so you feel better.

I pray that may Allah bless all of you with amazing life partners and bless your marriages, Ameen.