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Why keep living, what's the use?

308 Answers
Last Updated: 11/15/2022 at 2:22pm
1 Tip to Feel Better
Greece
Moderated by

Maria Wasielewski, Master of Arts in Counseling and Guidance, University of Arizona

Licensed Professional Counselor

I am inspired when working with clients, who are facing challenging life experiences, to be able to help them to develop the needed skills to live their best possible life!

Top Rated Answers
Anonymous
April 21st, 2019 12:29pm
You should keep living because you have a purpose in life. You deserve to be here. You accomplished so many things in life, you can't throw that all away. You got to realize that life sucks sometimes, but it will get better. Now I wish I could tell you when it gets better, but I can't, because I don't know when it'll get better, but I promise it will one day. People would be heartbroken if you left. We all have rough patches in life and this one just happens to be yours, but you will get through this. I believe in you. Stay strong.
Anonymous
April 26th, 2019 9:48pm
There are many times in our life that we may sit and question our existence. It's a question that I've heard many times. " What is the use of living ? I have nothing to live for." That's 100% wrong. You have so many things to live for. There are so many things that we can do but we don't work to our full potential to get to those huge goals in life. Don't you want to make yourself proud? Work hard to accomplish the goals that you've always worked so hard for. Find your passion. There are so many great things that we can do to make ourselves feel wonderful. Why do you think that there are so many artists, singers, painters, photographers and so many other amazing people out there? They took advantage of that gray area in their life and put into the form of art in some type of way. Do what makes you happy. There are so many people that love and care for you. Think of it. If your younger you saw the way you are now? Would they be proud of the person that you have become? If your answer is "no", go out there and make a difference in your life. Once you do, you'll find your purpose and thank yourself for it.
rainbowclouds91
September 11th, 2016 3:11am
There are so many good things in the world to live for. I couldn't possibly name them all, but here are a few examples: puppies (if you're not allergic), good food, friends who make you laugh and smile, and good books. The world is filled with good things, and sometimes it can give us the short end of the stick. But the sun must set to rise, and if you continue to see the good things in the world, then you will keep positive feelings in and negative ones out.
Merritty
August 30th, 2016 2:12pm
You have so much to live for, your life isn't even near the end yet. You have so much to do, so much to conquer and so much to experience.
Lovingwaterfall2890
January 25th, 2016 1:21pm
People normally live a life anywhere from 75 to 90 years old And depending on your age you're only a fraction of your there imagine waking up one day with a great job and a great family if you want one. Keep living because there's a possibility and small bit of hope that you could wake up one day and have a great life.
EgyptsAssassin
August 28th, 2019 8:40am
Keep living because if you throw your life away, you could be throwing away the time where you could finally be happy with yourself and your surroundings. Listeners on 7 Cups are here to listen and understand what you may be going through no matter how big or small your situation is. It doesn't matter how big or small your situation may be, it's how you handle it, and getting through it is what makes life worth living. Remember, there's always a time where you will be happy, even if you need help getting to that point. Happiness is worth living through.
Anonymous
September 1st, 2019 12:32am
Life is a powerful thing.. we all go through series of events but in the end.. we do question is it worth it? But yes it is worth it! Life can be filled with so much joy passion and fun! You just need to find the right direction if you are lost! We all get to experience the wonders that life brings if we work hard to achieve what we want! We can all do it! Stay positive and push forward.. no matter how hard it gets! We all get alittle down and sometimes lonely but there is always someone somewhere who feels the same.. but if we didn’t experience the bad .. we wouldn’t know what the good would be until we knew the difference.. life is special!
kindDreamer40
September 8th, 2019 12:28pm
Sometimes i think this and all the bad things I've done or have had happen to me come in my mind but i learn to push all that away and believe that i came into the world with a purpose and that is the reason i'm living and until my time is over i should stay .Sometimes ignoring the bad things help.Being a Christian helped me to understand that God has given each individual a purpose to live and that everyone is uniquely crafted in his own hands.So i hope this answers the question: Why keep living? Everyday will bring something new into your life
lizzylovepup123
October 5th, 2019 9:11pm
Even though sometimes we feel as if we shouldn't live we all have a reason to live. Living can help us give hope and be an example to others who might not want to live. When we stay alive we can grow and improve on ways we can handle these emotions. By living we give others a reason to live because if we are dead sometimes it won't give courage for the others who want to die. Your presence is very needed on earth. You change the world whether or not you can see that. There are always setbacks but when we grow from those setbacks we see a whole new world ahead of us.
Anonymous
October 6th, 2019 12:16am
a cup of coffee in the morning, your moms smile, your best friends laugh, for the tiny humans that look up to you, hearing the words "i love you," long hot showers, late night drives, you are enough, the sound of thunder and rain, eating your favorite foods, the stars, all of the movies and books, meeting new people, genuine smiles, you matter, meaningful relationships, hugs, cuddles, your dog, you are worth it, inside jokes, you would be missed, fuzzy socks and getting cozied up with blankets, cute old people, to watch your little brother graduate, snow days, that feeling you get when you don't have to set an alarm for the next day, the cold side of the pillow, the feeling of putting on clothes straight out of the dryer, finding extra fries at the bottom of the bag, good hair days, YOU ARE LOVED
dancingDay9838
October 7th, 2019 8:43am
Living is a good thing. There is lots too live for you can live for a new family member, or another life event such as getting married or engaged or having kids of your own. I believe that living is important because suicide has taken over a lot of peoples lives including friends of mine but I learned how too just listen and be able to help others overcome the demons inside of that person. The use of living is that you wont make someone else sad and you may make other people happy that you are still alive.
Anonymous
October 12th, 2019 5:10pm
Understanding that sometimes life can be hard, but there is hope and you may not see it now but telling someone how you are feeling can help you to get through this rough patch. Life is important and people do need you, you may not see this now but trust that it is true and people do need you
Anonymous
December 12th, 2019 3:28am
I'm paraphrasing Einstein when I say, we are here for but a brief sojourn. For what reason we know not. But we are bound to each other by the ties of humanity. There are days when I can't grasp the reasons for it. But I know ultimately I'm bound to those that love me. To those that have molded me into what it is they see in me. To those that have needed me to be, to be what I am in their eyes, and to exist. To exist. To make existence easier on others is to exist with them. Make it something worthwhile.
WonderlandRabbit
July 28th, 2015 1:08pm
I don't know if this will help, but things could be better, but things could also be worse. Someone else out there is going through the same things you are, and by continuing to fight, youre helping that person as well.
Anu1899
December 22nd, 2019 12:44pm
You wouldn't have experienced a lot of things yet! There's so much beauty ahead of the four walls you are stuck thinking why do we even need to live. There's so much yet to explore and so little people get to live in the first place to live and explore them.There's scenic beauty you are yet to discover, the wonderful experience of love, the joy of celebrating festivities with loved ones, the amazing feeling of being on top of the world while winning something big or small, the adrenaline rush when you rush down a roller coaster. Make a bucket list have an aim ahead of the basic things like education or work or home or family and make list of things you would get a chance to explore all these amazing things. Life offers a lot of things, a lemon is just a quarter of it, there's much sweetness ahead of it.
AveryLove
January 5th, 2020 12:17pm
Because you are here for a reason. There is still so much more to explore, experience and enjoy. Think of all the people you haven't met yet! All the books you haven't read yet. All the food you haven't tried out yet!! You deserve to see them. Even if it is hard right now, you are stronger than that. And it will get better, if you give it a chance to. You are not here by accident. Things will get better. There will be a day where you look back and are grateful for not giving yourself up. You deserve to live.
Anonymous
January 11th, 2020 4:34pm
Sometimes it feels very painful to keep going. People on this site know that better than many others. It's okay to feel pain and to cry and even to feel like giving up. But why have you kept going thus far? Do you have a job, a brother, a friend who holds you up when you can't? What smells do you like? Rain on a mountain, rosemary on roasted chicken, cookies in the oven, freshly cut grass? What sights make you smile? The view from the top of a peak, your cat when you come home, a lizard on the sidewalk, a pretty bird? Sometimes all we have to keep us grounded are the tiny things that remind you to take a deep breath. It's okay to hang onto moments to get through a journey.
Anonymous
January 22nd, 2020 9:57pm
I know that some times, if not most of the time we don't see a reason for being here anymore. I have felt that way for a while but I have found that just the thought of never being here to the snow fall or stars in the sky and all the weird and crazy things about the people i know that i would really miss. I can't tell you your reasons to keep living because i don't know you but I can promise that if you at least try even if it is the smallest reason you need to keep fighting
Innerpeace2u
September 24th, 2020 5:41am
I had depression before, I asked this question too, really resonating, thanks for posting this. I did 2 things to FEEL HAPPIER now. 1st, I start a religion quest for 6 years, I'm happy that I chosen what to believe and how to see the world. 2nd, my answer to that question now is 'There's none, no purpose nor use to being alive', further explaination would be if I think I have to be useful or full of purpose to keep alive, I will be very painful. So spare myself, I set mini goals and earn happiness easily, for example 'eat delicious food makes me feel worthy alive', 'talking to friends online make me happy', 'still have money to spend is good hehe'......afterward is easy to feel happy cuz for me happiness is a habit not a reason or static status quo. Thanks for posting this, it's my time to enjoy meal, bye!
Anonymous
November 4th, 2020 10:46am
Hello, I believe every person in this world has a purpose to fulfill. We often don't realize the positive impact we can leave on someone but that does not mean we do not have a life worth living. If you look around you, there are some incredibly amazing things worth living for. You can bring change to someone's life, help them have a better life. If you think about it there is a lot you can do in this life. For some time, try to focus on the positive side of life, ignore the negativity, and see you will see the reason behind it. Behind everything.
NightOfSight
November 1st, 2020 8:39am
I believe anyone can chose what they live for. Each live has it's own, very special story. The story is a path we live, we can follow, we can lead and we can stray from it. It's always one of a kind, it's always unique and it is in some way beautiful. I myself don't have much goals in mine, although I was born in fire - to be smelt into a being of great empathy. I've gone through hell to rise from the ashes like a phoenix and I have chosen. My life's utmost matter is life. Not mine though - other life, life around me. I feel little myself, but when I look in people's eyes... I see their stories. I feel what they feel, see what they see, hear what they hear. To me - those empathicly induced emotions are much stronger than mine. So I decided that this is what I will care more than my own life. Lives of others. I didn't succeed in my quest yet and I didn't go far. But at least I've found what is the most important thing in my life. I with to live for someone and I believe... even a broken shield might save someone's life one day.
Jlaulove
October 28th, 2020 4:42pm
The meaning of life can vary from person to person therefore the reason to live it is not always the same for everyone... Life is full of good things and those are the ones that we need to focus on. We can give use to our life in a thousand different ways and when these uses are rewarded with gratitude from others, it is then when we understand why life its precious, why it is so worth it living it and how we can use it to change maybe not the world but one person at a time. Focusing everyday on all the positive aspects of family, work, friends, kids and animals can help see all for what we need to keep living for. When we see change in others because of our own positive attitude towards life, we understand that we all as humans require of love and support from people around us to give meaning and value to life. All of that makes life worth living.
Anonymous
December 25th, 2014 2:11pm
Life is amazing! You may be in a very dark place right now and I get that. What you need to do is rise up and figure out why your so down and fix that problem. Once you do you will she how amazing life is and you will want to keep going :)
Anonymous
January 4th, 2015 5:32pm
You have so much potential within you. You have people around you who love you, even if you don't know it. So the real question is: why not?
Anonymous
October 3rd, 2020 4:26pm
Now, that is a great question that a lot of us find ourselves asking both our own selves and those around us. What is the point of it all, right? Well, you were born, weren't you? So maybe there is a reason behind it, maybe you are meant to do something that changes the world, that shakes the ground from under people's feet. Who knows? Agreed, you did not ask to be born, nor do you care what happens to this planet. Just think about something good you did, that little kitten on the street that you fed, that crying kid who gave your candy to, it felt good after you saw that shine in their eyes, didn't it? All I am saying is that we all have a purpose, all of us have a bit of a hero in ourselves, we all want to be a savior to at least one person. And it is completely okay if that person is you yourself, save yourself. You are a gem, we all need you. Too good for the planet? Yeah, you are, but you'll be a great asset to Team Earth and we'd love it if you stayed.
CheeryPotato
October 2nd, 2020 6:33pm
Living is a gift you must cherish and not end quickly. Kind of like a mug of tea I take small sips so the warm feeling stays around. Life was given to everyone and each person has a different mission in life once you complete it you go home. Think about it you were born to do something in this world and we each have our own parts to do. If you had no mission to complete you would not have been born to complete it. It is okay to feel scared about it. If you want to I can refer you to the self-harm hotline. Hope I could help.
Anonymous
August 20th, 2020 11:28am
Cause people are amazing, every one. There is so much to do and learn in life, so many people to meet and friends to make. Cause there is always someone who loves you and cares about you a lot. Things will get better, this is just one chapter of your life. Good things take time. Don't worry, it'll get better I promise.
Anonymous
August 22nd, 2020 6:04am
There are a lot of hokey answers to this question or at least ones I've always heard and thought.. yeah yeah. I don't think there is a single answer, but I will share my experience of why I think it's useful and maybe that will somehow help despite there being so many answers. I've been suicidal for a very long time, and only recently have been less so. I've experienced a lot of hopelessness, pain loneliness, and feeling like nothing will ever change no matter what I do. For years I felt like I was dead already and just waiting for my body to catch up. But I continued to live and through that experience, this is what I consider the use. It isn't that one day your life will magically change into what you want, and it isn't that one day your problems will be gone. That might happen for you or someone but didn't for me. It is that all things change, all things experiences, emotions, realities, situations, are temporary. Even who we are in any given moment is temporary if we give up on living we commit ourselves to end at that one moment in which we felt like life would go on forever that way because it has seemed to and we forfeit clarity, and possibility and things we can't even imagine. To me being able to see my life change into something I couldn't even think possible is worth going on for. I hate the idea of stopping stuck because I am tired and have no hope. Life has kicked the bumpkiss out of me taken all my energy and forced me into helish situations. I deserve to see the change, and even if I don't deserve it I want to see it. I want to spit in the face of giving up and endure until that endurance gives my troubles troubles. All things change, and there is no predicting it. We only know that if we stay alive we will see everything change. To me that is the use.
Anonymous
August 28th, 2020 9:42pm
Life is given as a gift , use the gift , love the gift , make it your own! It will have its ups and downs but that is what will make each and everyone one of us unique. Make your own path , obstacles are apart of that path. Sometimes we feel weak and just like giving up but, there is always a reason to live , no matter how small it may seem. It is in these obstacles , in the sad moments , in the pain we inured , that we will find our strength. We will find who we are and who we want to be. That is when true happiness will exist and make life amazing.
Daniela27
August 13th, 2020 8:56pm
Let's be honest, I think everyone has felt the same way at least once in our lives. We go through trials, impossible situations, headaches, anxiety, or other issues that make us feel like we cannot continue anymore. Everyone has problems that feel unbearable. Even I do, which consists of loneliness, anxiety, and family issues. So why keep living? Think about it, we all have issues we want to solve. We all suffer and receive scars from past moments. So I think the reason we live is to help each other go through our problems. We are all human beings, and the most important thing we need is support, communication, trust, loyalty, health, happiness, and love. We live to grow stronger. We live to grow in wisdom and help others overcome their worries and fears.