Staying Alive IS Enough
A few days ago, I was scrolling through Facebook when something stopped me dead in my scroll. There is a Facebook Page called, “Staying Alive is Not Enough”. Now, please know that I am not here to shame a page or its creators, but that statement figuratively punched me in the gut. I went and researched the page and it’s centered around encouraging people to make the most out of the time you are given – which hey, that’s great. Live life to the fullest. Just don’t smack people battling with Mental Illness in the face while doing it. If I could write a letter to the creator of the page, this is what it would read:
Dear “Staying Alive is Not Enough” Page Creator,
My name is Rebecca and I battle an Invisible Illness, meaning I battle with Mental Illness. For the past four years, it has been a real struggle to just STAY alive. The suicidal ideation has been so heavy that there were times where even I was afraid for my own safety. There were days, weeks, months where getting out of bed was such a chore, nothing else mattered. Not personal hygiene, not feeding myself, nothing. I was just trying to STAY alive when my mind was screaming louder than ever that I would be better off dead.
You might be wondering why I am telling you this. Well, the other day I happened across your Facebook Page and I have to say it was like receiving a slap in the face. With a chair. Staying alive is not enough? Really? I don’t think you’ve considered the message that this line sends to people, especially those fighting Mental Illnesses. I don’t think you understand what it’s like to fight each and every day to STAY alive. To not succumb to the thoughts that you and everyone else would be better off with you dead. I don’t think you understand what it’s like to have to have someone on speaker phone every time you drive so you don’t drive into anything to kill yourself. I don’t think you understand what it’s like to sit crying on the phone with a family member for over 6 hours because they were too afraid to let you be alone. I don’t think you understand how hard “simply” staying alive is for some of us. Sometimes just staying alive is all that we can handle. Staying alive is a victory.
When we see words like yours, it knocks us down. It reinforces the belief that we’re not good enough. I know you probably mean no ill will with the title of your page, but I really truly wish you would reconsider naming it. I see that your page is dedicated to encourage people to live life to the fullest, but I have to say, your page title was enough to make me question whether I deserved to still be here because all I’m doing right now is trying to stay alive. All I CAN do right now is fight to keep living. Does that mean I don’t belong here because I currently am not able to “do more” or “live life to the fullest”? No, it doesn’t.
I disagree. I think your statement should read, “Staying Alive IS Enough”, because there are so many people out there looking for a sign – either a sign of hope to keep fighting or a sign that they should end it once and for all. Honestly, if I had found your page two months ago, there is a strong chance I would have taken it as a sign to end it all. I can’t live life to the fullest right now because I’m too busy fighting a war inside my head. I’m sorry (well, actually I’m not) if that inconveniences you or makes you uncomfortable, but we do in fact have the right to stay alive and that just be enough.
Sincerely, Rebecca
That is what I would say if I knew who to send it to, because this really bothers me. No one has the right to tell people that staying alive isn’t enough. It darn well is. If you’re fighting this battle alongside me, know that you have the right to “just” stay alive. That’s enough. It’s all we can do and that’s ok. Some days we win the war and some days we lose. That’s ok. Just keep picking yourself up and keep on fighting. Don’t let anyone tell you that your life isn’t worth it because of x, y or z. You are so freaking precious and valued and the world needs you here. I need you here. So keep fighting, dear friends and don’t let poorly titled pages discourage you from the progress you’re making.
Love,
Becca
Cover Image Taken from Google. No Copyright Infringement Intended.
