We’ve all heard, at least once, about that famous person who seemed to have it all from the outside: fame, power, money, beauty… Yet suddenly, out of nowhere, they took their own life!
Shocking news that always leaves us wondering, why would a person who seems to have it all from the outside decide suddenly to take this no-return route?
We all have our internal battles, and depression, when combined with loneliness, can be frequently fatal.
Emptiness
However, there is something I’ve noticed that I believe is worth shedding light on: when we are struggling financially or fighting to get out of a difficult situation, depression’s grip seems to loosen. Its impact often feels less powerful compared to when we are living a very comfortable life.
Think about it. A guy who is providing for his family and who has bills to pay, does he really have the time to sit and dwell on his situation and feel depressed? Not really. He needs urgently to sort out those emergencies; he simply doesn’t have the luxury to pause and sink into those feelings.
The fact his family needs him and depends on him, gives a strong sense of responsibility and purpose to his life, which can act as a shield. It might not necessarily erase his pain, but it can channel it and give it a positive direction, a direction of action.
The same applies to many other challenging situations in life. When you are preparing for an important exam and feel behind in your preparation, do you really have time to feel depressed? You don’t. You know your future might depend on the outcome, and you simply don’t want to let yourself down. So you give it everything you have with the time remaining, keeping your depression at bay for the meanwhile, because you know that this is practically the best you can do.
On the other hand, when you have a life where everything seems to be already secured, you might start to have bigger questions around the meaning of life, purpose, and if this is all there is. The kind of questions in which depression can easily nurture itself.
Struggles come with the hope that the situation will improve, that one day we will be happy. But when hardships are removed, life can suddenly feel empty, as there is nothing left to look forward to.
There is a unique feeling of emptiness that can hit hard when we have nothing left to chase or fight for.
Isolation
It’s also important to note that wealth can sometimes lead to isolation, while financial struggles often bring people closer together. In difficult times, people are more likely to lean on one another, because that is what increases their chances of getting through.
I believe there are more people who take their lives in isolation in a comfortable home than among those in poorer communities constantly striving to make ends meet. When you are facing poverty or severe hardship, you can’t afford the luxury to feel depressed, as your mind simply prioritizes action over reflection.
In contrast, depression seems to often hit hardest when many aspects of life, especially financial ones, are already sorted out.
Our brains seem to be wired to somehow create problems when none are actually present. This is why I believe that a certain level of struggle can be healthy, as it helps us appreciate it when life becomes easier.
If life is kicking you around hard, try to embrace it. Stay positive about it and keep pushing forward, and remember: it might just be a blessing in disguise.
– Ys Heartruth –
