Just Stay.

I never understood why people say that suicide is the “easy way out”.

Are they trying to shame people into not doing it? I’m pretty sure people considering suicide are already feeling pretty crappy about themselves. They don’t need to also hear that they are a “loser” for considering ending their pain. Seems to me that would make them feel even worse.

I always viewed suicide as misdirected courage.

Incredible, unimaginable strength, that if only could just be pointed in the direction of staying a little longer, just to see what happens…

Why not stay just long enough to do one more thing you always wanted to do… or two if you feel up for it.

Perhaps by staying just a little longer, or doing one last thing or two that you always wanted to do, some light will creep in, and you may change your mind. Or not. But what do you have to lose?

During my time as the Pilates Therapy Director at a long-standing physical therapy clinic, I had the opportunity to work with two different people who had attempted suicide and luckily, survived. They had a lot of strenuous rehabilitation ahead of them. Their lives were going to be a lot more challenging physically. Yet, neither of them wished they had been successful at ending their life. What they found on the other side of their horrible ordeals, was that there was in fact, hope left. Moments worth living. Situations that turned around for the better. Surprises and blessings in their lives that they couldn’t have fathomed before. I would tell them that they were a force to be reckoned with. That knowing what they attempted to do, told me what a courageous and unbelievably ballsy human they were. It was just misdirected. That I couldn’t wait to see that same strength get them through the challenges that were to come. Sure, they still had depression to work through and get treatment for, but both of my patients are now living meaningful, fulfilling lives. They have helped others and have experienced joy again. They have been living proof to me, that sometimes there are plans for our lives that we can’t even begin to imagine, miracles happen, and so stick around, just pause for a little longer to see….please.

If you are suffering and feeling like you just want out, please consider one more day, week, month, or even year. Have a conversation with someone that you never thought you would. Say what’s on your mind to the world. Read just one more book. Take one more walk. Adopt a kitten to lie in bed with you while you cry. Order a huge pizza and have that tub of ice cream. Go to Burning Man. See one more movie. Visit the ocean and just sit quietly, or scream. Play your favorite music. Call that suicide prevention hotline just to see what they have to say. Think of as many memories that you can that make you smile, and write them out. Have sex. Get a tattoo. Go stare at a butterfly. Breathe so loudly that you can hear it. Watch your chest rise and fall. Sit in the sun.

Or even better, out of curiosity, just stay. Don’t do a thing if you don’t want to.

Just stay.

Use that incredible courage you have to just stay a little longer… and see what happens.

What do you have to lose?

You are loved. I promise that.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255
Available 24 hours everyday

Comments