Last year something bad happened to me.
I was so stricken with grief and I had a hard time dealing with it.
I started reading English books as a friend of mine had commanded.
At least while I read, I was able to step out of my depression.

Could you please make my sentences sound more natural?
I want to know if using "stricken with grief and "step out of one's depression" makes sense in spoken English.
If they don't make sense and if there are any synonyms for them that are used a lot in spoken English, could you please tell me?

Thank you so much.

Question

Last year something bad happened to me. 
I was so stricken with grief and I had a hard time dealing with it.
I started reading English books as a friend of mine had commanded. 
At least while I read, I was able to step out of my depression.

Could you please make my sentences sound more natural?
I want to know if using "stricken with grief and "step out of one's depression" makes sense in spoken English.
If they don't make sense and if there are any synonyms for them that are used a lot in spoken English, could you please tell me?

Thank you so much.

Answer

"Stricken with grief" is fine. You could also say "grief-stricken". "Step out of my depression" is fine too. In more casual conversation you might say "I was able to put aside [or escape from] my troubles [or problems] for a while."

I would drop the "so" in "so stricken" unless you want to say "I was so stricken with grief THAT I had a hard time dealing with it."

Also, I would change "commanded" to "recommended" or "suggested". Commands usually come from generals in the army, or from dog-owners talking to their dog, rather than friends. But "commanded" is grammatically correct, nonetheless.

I hope that helps.