Why Ending Life Is Not an Answer and Choosing to See the Beauty in Living Is.
When the darkness whispers, “There’s no way through,”
Remember, tomorrow may look brand new.
Love still waits in faces you’ve yet to meet,
Dreams untold are calling, soft and sweet.
Your strength is proof—you’ve walked this far,
You shine, though you forget how bright you are.
In laughter, in rain, in the soft morning skies,
Life plants its beauty in small surprise.
So, hold on tight, let hope be your song,
The world needs your light—you belong.
What made me write this post? The answer to this question has haunted me since last one year, if not more. The number of suicide cases in the news amongst students and professionals is heart breaking. Some made me wonder, why was asking for help so difficult. Some, made me wonder, why did the problem seem bigger than life itself. And every time I did wonder, why couldn’t the beauty of life, the joys of the world, the love and support of family and friends supersede the pain and hopelessness. Unfortunately for me, a few cases hit a little close to home. I spoke to doctors, teenagers and youngsters (20 plus) and the painful truth stared me in the face. The pain that is felt by those who take this drastic step is so fierce, so extreme that nothing seems worth it. All logic fails and escape seems like the only solution.
But it’s not!
Before I say anything further on this topic, let me state- I am no professional. I am just a person who wants to bring awareness about this and encourage people to be kinder and more empathetic to those around.
Life’s Weight and the Light Within
Life, in all its vastness, can feel unbearably heavy.
Pain, heartbreak, loss, or even the weight of daily struggles can pull us into a place where hope seems out of reach, and ending life may feel like the only escape. This is not the answer.
It’s the closing of a book before the best chapters unfold.
Pause for just a moment, because you are not alone, and your story is not finished yet.
No matter how dark today feels, tomorrow holds possibilities you cannot yet see. Life is beautiful not because it is free of pain, but because it offers endless chances for healing, love, and transformation.
As novelist Matt Haig, who battled depression, once wrote:
“Stay alive for the small things. Stay alive to watch the sky change. Stay alive so you can live for the big things one day.”
The Illusion That Pain Is Forever
In the midst of deep suffering, it can feel endless. The human mind, when flooded with pain, tricks us into believing it will last forever. But remember, pain, by its very nature, is temporary.
Think of seasons. Winter, with its bare trees and freezing winds, can feel unending. Yet spring always arrives. Flowers bloom again, warmth returns, and life finds a way forward.
Suicidal thoughts arise when we confuse a bad chapter with the entire story.
But life is never one chapter—it is a book with many twists, surprises, and miracles waiting to unfold
Rumi expressed this truth beautifully:
“Try to accept the changing seasons of your heart, even if they come with pain, for surely spring will follow winter.”
Life Is Beautiful—Even When It’s Messy
Life is not perfect, nor is it meant to be. It’s unpredictable, messy, and sometimes painfully unfair. But woven into the chaos are moments of breath-taking beauty.
The sound of laughter, waves crashing on the shore reminding us of resilience, the warmth of a hug, a mother’s cuddle, taste of food that reminds you of home, music by AR Rehman and Pritam, the sight of dawn after a dark night- These are not small things but glimpses of why life, which even when hard, is still worth living. Beauty hides in the ordinary, waiting to remind us that joy is still possible.
Even when you cannot change your circumstances immediately, you can choose to notice the beauty around you. That awareness itself can be healing.
In the words of author Elizabeth Gilbert:
“You need to learn how to select your thoughts just the same way you select your clothes every day. This is a power you can cultivate.”
Triumphs Over Trials: Stories of Resilience
- J.K. Rowling- Before she became one of the world’s most successful authors, was living in poverty, raising a daughter as a single mother, and battling depression. She once admitted she considered ending her life. Yet she held on, and from her struggles came “Harry Potter”—a story that has given hope to millions.
She later reflected: “Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.”
- Nelson Mandela- He spent 27 years in prison, separated from his family, enduring cruelty and injustice. Yet he chose life, hope, and forgiveness. When released, he went on to lead South Africa into a new era. His story reminds us that no cage—physical or emotional—lasts forever.
Reasons to Keep Living
When life feels dark and overwhelming, it can be hard to remember why it’s worth staying. When the weight feels too much, gentle reminders can help you stay. Here are a few:
- Change is always possible. Tomorrow doesn’t have to look like today. Healing takes time, but it comes.
- Love is still waiting. There are people you haven’t met yet who will love you in ways you can’t imagine right now.
- Dreams yet to be lived. The story you want to write, the places you want to see, the talents you haven’t discovered—they’re all ahead of you.
- People who care. Even if it doesn’t feel like it, your presence matters deeply to someone.
- Your own resilience. You’ve made it through every single hard day so far. That strength is proof you can keep going.
- The simple joys. A sunrise, laughter, the smell of rain, a delicious meal, or dancing just because—it’s often the little things that make life beautiful.
- The unknown future. Life is full of surprises, and the next beautiful thing might be just around the corner.
“Where there’s hope, there’s life. It fills us with fresh courage and makes us strong again.” – Anne Frank
Choose the people around you
At times it’s the people around you that are making you lose hope. Walk out! It’s tough, but it’s doable. At times it’s not possible to physically remove yourself from a place, but mentally you can. Just one bold step. Choose who and what you hear and what you react to. Every action does not deserve a reaction and your time and emotions are way too precious. It’s better to have one good friend or a supporting family member around, rather than a toxic gathering. Surround yourself with happiness and positive energy. It takes time, but it works every time.
Practical Steps When You’re Struggling
1. Talk to Someone
It doesn’t have to be a perfect conversation. Simply saying “I’m not okay” to a trusted friend, family member, or mentor can release some of the burden. Reach out. There are people who will be there and will help you, who love you and need you in their lives.
You are irreplaceable.
2. Professional Support
Therapists, counsellors, and psychiatrists can guide you with tools to manage emotions and reframe thoughts. Reaching out isn’t weakness—it’s courage.
3. Crisis Helplines
If you ever feel like you may harm yourself, reach out immediately:
– India: AASRA Helpline: +91-9820466726
– USA: Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988
– UK & Ireland: Samaritans: 116 123
– Worldwide: Visit findahelpline.com
4. Daily Grounding Rituals
- Journaling. Write your thoughts, no matter how messy.
- Movement. A short walk, yoga, or even stretching helps shift your energy.
- Mindfulness. Try deep breathing, meditation, or simply noticing your surroundings.
- Gratitude practice. Note three things—no matter how small—you’re grateful for daily.
5. Give Yourself Permission to Rest
You don’t need to fix everything at once. Survival itself is an act of bravery. Sometimes, getting through the day is enough.
6. Be Kind to Yourself
Cut yourself some slack. You are not defined by every stumble.
Release the weight of judgment,
And allow space for grace to grow.
Things Always Get Better
Research in psychology shows that suicidal crises are often temporary peaks of unbearable distress. According to the American Psychological Association, most people who survive suicide attempts do not go on to die by suicide later—they go on to live meaningful lives.
The reason? When the brain is overwhelmed, it loses perspective. With time, treatment, and support, clarity returns. Many survivors later express gratitude for still being alive.
This truth is echoed in Viktor Frankl’s words, a Holocaust survivor and psychiatrist:
“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”
A Soft Whisper to Remember
You are not your mistakes. You are not your pain. You are not the dark thoughts whispering lies in your mind. You are a human being—complex, beautiful, and deserving of life.
The storm you’re in now does not last forever.
Final Thoughts
Ending life may feel like an answer, but it robs you of tomorrow’s sunrise, of love yet to be experienced, of laughter yet to echo, of dreams yet to unfold.
Your story matters. The world is better with you in it. And while today may be heavy, there is always tomorrow.
So, hold on. Reach out. Take one small step forward. STAY.
Because life is beautiful—and so are you.
“And once the storm is over, you won’t remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won’t even be sure whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in.”
— Haruki Murakami
A few words for all of us:
When someone is in a bad place, even the slightest of harsh statement can be disastrous. Furthermore, you can put someone in a bad place by bullying, harassing, violence and rumours. Let’s get rid of these; let’s get rid of toxic humour and exploitation; let’s get rid of bullying and unhealthy competition; let’s stop harassment and judgement; let’s always lend an ear if someone needs to talk or we feel they need to talk. A single step towards these might save a life.
If you know a survivor, be kind and don’t shun them. They are in pain and you can be a part of their cure.
Be kind. It costs nothing!
Hope my words bring about a change.
Love,
Divya
Nurturing empathy can go ahead long way in addressing mental health issues as well as the courage to own our stories.
Thankyou so much Vibha.