This creative work is a novel that explores issues of mental health, toxic family dynamics, the search for life’s meaning, and freedom. The story focuses on the psychological struggles of Kaia Naladhipa and Sabian Aksa, who each faces childhood trauma and social pressures that affect their mental well-being. Nala experiences pressure from her stepbrother and neglect from her mother since childhood, while Bian lives with the trauma caused by domestic violence. This work is analyzed using theories of toxic family dynamics, psychological stress theory, and the concept of freedom, which explain how one’s environment shapes psychological conditions and how conscious choices become a form of liberation. This thesis aims to raise mental health awareness among Indonesian youth through a creative narrative that encourages understanding, reflection, and seeking support. With a slice-of-life approach and an aesthetic narrative style, the novel highlights the emotional healing process through human connection. Ultimately, Celebration is not just a story about pain, but also an invitation to love oneself, express one’s feelings, and celebrate the courage to heal.
