10 reasons to live

It's World Mental Health Day 2018

I wanted to comprise a list of things for people who may be struggling, to provide a little positivity. Things have been tough for me lately and still are, so it's partly to also remind myself what I'm fighting for. When things get tough and I tread down that track of  'am I better off not here' it's good to remember reasons to live. Of course my friends and family are also reasons, seeing my nephew grow up and being there at my sister's wedding; but it's my life and I don't believe you should live for others so I've not added them to my list.

1. There will never be another job you are more qualified to do than being you. Not one single other person on Earth can be you, and that's pretty amazing. 

2. In a world full of chaos, change and anarchy, there are many constants. The sun will always rise and set, (even if the weather's bloody awful and you sometimes forget what the sun is) every single day. The stars will constantly shine, the sea will ebb and flow, and Monday will always lurk around the corner. And there will always, always, be someone in Margate begging someone for a fag. 

3. There are so many things you have yet to discover and experience. You'd be hard pressed to find a single person on their death bed who has done absolutely everything they wanted to do and had nothing left they wanted to see, do, or achieve. The common saying is that there's not enough time, not that there is too much.

4. Emotions aren't permanent, even when they feel that way. Sometimes I can be depressed for months, and I think I'm never going to feel any better; but somehow, I always do. Happiness can't last forever, and neither can sadness. Some grief never really leaves us, but in time we manage to let the light back in. It's never dark forever, it's just not possible.

5. There is absolutely no evidence that death brings peace, or eternal happiness. Of course there's no evidence that it brings fire and brimstone either; but what if the afterlife is worse? What if we're jumping out of the frying pan into the fire? Some Christians say to self-murder is a sin which cannot be repented, which of course will send you to sizzle with the big man downstairs. As a non-believer of course if it turns out to be true I'll be sent to fry regardless, but it's something to ponder.

6. Even if we are unaware of it, every person in this world has an impact on it and upon those we interact with. You may be someone else's reason to get up in the morning, you may inspire people in ways you couldn't possibly imagine. You may say or do something that inadvertently (or blatantly) changes the world for the better. Your suffering may spurn you on to ensure others don't experience the same. You may become the compassionate voice a friend needs, your experiences may make you a more understanding partner, brother or sister, or parent. 

7. The world, when we look away from human destruction, is beautiful. Nature is an incredible force, and yet so awe-inspiringly peaceful. Nature wishes to co-exist, it wishes to thrive. Some humans are like this too. Some humans wish no harm, and try to protect our planet and all who inhabit it. Sometimes we find it hard to see the good in the world, but it's there. Behind the mass media's scaremongering there are good everyday people who live simple lives; and that's a majority. Most people don't want to harm you. Most people care about other people. Most people struggle sometimes. 

8. You're not alone. 'Well, if I were You-Know-Who, I'd want you to feel cut off from everyone else; because if its just you alone, you're not as much of a threat'- Luna Lovegood, Harry Potter
If we exchanged 'You-Know-Who' for 'your mental illness' then it's a wonderful quote. Your illness doesn't want you to win. It wants you isolated, frightened and detached from society. It wants to feed on your despair. The truth is, 1 in 4 of us has or will have a mental illness this year. You're not alone, you don't have to suffer in silence. You can get through this with a little help and support, and it is out there.

9. Actually living instead of just existing is where the true joy is. There's something in this world for everyone. Maybe you're not ready to get out there just yet, and that's okay, but there are so many opportunities to jump-start adrenaline, challenge your mind, or just feel alive; even if it's just sending a risky message or driving a convertible and feeling the wind fly through your hair (leaving you with a knotted mass of hell.) Perhaps you want to experience standing on a stage in front of an audience, or jumping out of a plane. Perhaps you want to travel, or climb a mountain. DO IT.

10. Music, laughter, love and art/literature are the closest thing we 'muggles' will ever get to magic, and both are easily obtainable. Why wouldn't you want to live in a world full of magic?