When Giving Up Feels Easier

Trigger Warning: This post talks about feelings of deep pain and thoughts of suicide. Reader discretion is advised.

If you’re reading this and struggling, please know you are not alone. Your feelings are real, and it’s okay to ask for help — you deserve kindness, support, and understanding.

If you need someone to talk to, reach out to a trusted adult, a caring professional, or one of these lifelines:

  • Canada: Talk Suicide Canada – 1-833-456-4566 (24/7)
  • United States: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 988 (24/7)
  • United Kingdom: Samaritans – 116 123 (24/7)
  • International: Visit befrienders.org to find someone who will listen in your country.

You matter so much, even when it’s hard to believe. There is hope. You are never truly alone.

If you’re tired, hurting, or thinking of giving up—
I see you. I’ve been there too.
And I promise, there’s more ahead than this moment.

Sometimes the heaviest battles are the ones no one sees. Illustration by Freepik

Hopelessness. The feeling of “nothing matters,” “nothing good is happening,” “I can’t do this anymore,” or “I don’t want to do this anymore.” These thoughts are soul-crushing. This feeling is indescribable in words, and even the most empathetic person can’t truly understand it unless they’ve felt it themselves.

It feels impossible to share these thoughts, these emotions, to voice them out. Like you’re drowning—and no one can see it, no one can save you. Sometimes, it feels like your heart is being torn apart, and you’re feeling that pain slowly but endlessly. There’s no escape except to end everything.

To anyone feeling this way, I ask you—pause. Take a deep breath. Try to imagine a life where you are living peacefully, maybe with loved ones, maybe on your own—but at peace. I know that some days it’s impossible to even think of that kind of life, but still, try. Please don’t give up, no matter how hard or unbearable it feels. Just hold on.

The day you decide to take charge of your own life will be the day those voices telling you to give up will lose their power. That moment will come. And when it does, you’ll see how far you’ve come. You’ll feel proud of yourself for surviving.

I know, some of you may think this sounds like a lie. But it’s not. It’s a truth I’ve lived. So many of us have. I’m not saying there’s light at the end of the tunnel—I’m saying that when you reach the end, you’ll become so strong that even the darkness won’t scare you anymore. And you’ll be proud that you didn’t give in.

I know exactly how hard it is to live when you feel like no one loves you, no one cares, and nothing would change if you disappeared. You may even believe you’d be doing your loved ones a favor. But those are the voices talking. That darkness, your circumstances—it’s not the truth.

And yes, sometimes it’s not just in your head. Sometimes people actually say those things to you. I’ve heard them too. I was there once—in that darkness, surrounded by voices, and the real voices of people who made me believe I didn’t matter. That no one would ever love me. That it would be better to end it all. I still remember their words, their faces. It doesn’t affect me now, but it’s a part of me. A part of who I am today.

I still vividly remember the steps I took during that time. And yet, something inside told me to hold on. I remember a thousand thoughts racing through me in just a few seconds. Even now, sometimes, those hurtful voices return. On certain days, they try to crush me again. But I know they’re lies.

That’s why many of us call them demons. Because they feed on our hopelessness, and they whisper in moments when we’re most vulnerable.

Sometimes, change doesn’t come from surviving the pain that’s been done to us—but from recognizing the pain we’ve caused. I learned that the hard way. It wasn’t easy to face, but it made me want to grow, to do better, to be someone who could offer kindness instead of hurt.
If you’ve ever felt like your past makes you unworthy of love or healing—I understand. But you are not your worst moment. You can still choose differently. You can still become someone softer, stronger, more whole.
You already are, just by holding on.

I promise there are people who want you to stay. People who want to listen. People who love you, or will love you. And even if it feels like no one does—you can learn to love yourself. That’s the beginning.

You don’t need to be surrounded by others to feel whole. When you begin to love yourself, nothing else matters the same way. The first step is choosing to believe in your own worth. To see the beauty inside yourself—even if it’s faint right now.

I still remember most of it—the emotions, the heaviness, the thoughts. It’s like hiding inside a closet. Away from everything. And at first, you don’t mind. It’s quiet. It feels safer.

But slowly, it gets harder to breathe in there. And even then, you tell yourself it’s okay. You’d rather stay in that darkness than face what’s outside.

Then one day, you realize you’re gasping for air. You want to open the door, you want to come out, but you don’t have the energy anymore. You’re too tired. Too weak. So you start to fade.

And unless someone reaches in and pulls you out—or unless something inside you decides to fight—you stay in there.

But I promise you, the moment you decide to even try opening that door, no matter how slowly, something begins to change. You begin to become a stronger version of yourself.

No one really wants to give up. It’s just that living becomes too painful. Giving up feels like the only relief. To not wake up. To not feel. To not exist.

Some people want to run away—not because they hate their life, but because they think freedom lies somewhere else. And maybe, in some cases, running away is better than giving up entirely. Maybe it gives you a chance to find something new. To survive.

But do you know what hurts the most in all of this?

It’s when you reach out for help… and they ignore you. When they call you dramatic. An attention-seeker. A troublemaker. So, you stop asking. You stop talking. You bury it all deep inside.

During this phase, even a small problem feels massive. Life-draining. These little issues start piling up, becoming too much. You feel buried, suffocating under them.

At one point, you pray. Just pray for things to get better—because you still want to live. But it feels like nothing ever will.

To all the survivors reading this—be proud of yourself. Truly. You’ve lived through something incredibly hard, and you’re still here. That’s strength.

Illustration by Freepik

I ask everyone: stand up for yourselves and for your loved ones. Try to notice the signs. I know it’s not easy. But it’s also not impossible. Talk to the people around you. You never know what someone might be silently carrying.

And to the parents reading this—please check on your kids. Make them feel safe. Let them know they can talk to you. Don’t let them suffer alone. Childhood is meant to be joyful—not filled with invisible pain.

To those who have lost someone to suicide—I know your pain is deep. Please know that their actions weren’t selfish. They wanted to live. It just became too much. And please don’t carry the guilt. Maybe you feel you could have done more—but now, the best you can do is be there for someone else. You could save someone still fighting.

Here are some signs that someone might be silently struggling:

  1. Slowly distancing themselves—from friends, from family, from things they used to love.
  2. Outbursts and sudden anger—often misunderstood, but sometimes it’s the first sign of all the emotions they’ve been bottling up.
  3. Any signs of self-harm—small cuts, skin picking, marks they try to hide. Sometimes they do this just to feel something.
  4. For parents of teens—please check in with your child’s teachers and friends. Sometimes kids are being bullied, suffering in silence, and no one at home even knows.

These signs may seem small on the surface, but they are not. Pay attention.

And if someone opens up to you—even a little—please don’t dismiss them. Don’t say, “It’s not a big deal,” or “You’ll be fine.” Instead, just listen. Just be there. That alone can save a life.

And to those currently struggling: you’ve probably heard it before—“love yourself.” But I know how impossible that feels when everything feels broken.

So, start somewhere else. Love someone. Love something. A pet. A memory. A dream. And live for that. Slowly, learn to love yourself too.

Personal tip:
Try reading survivor stories. They help.
Try writing. Even if you think you’re bad at it. Write how you feel, what you hate, what you hope. Even if it’s just scribbles or lines—try for a few months. You might be surprised what you uncover.

You’re not alone. You never were.

Some days, just getting through feels like the hardest fight. The weight is heavy, and the silence inside feels louder than you can bear. It’s okay to stay still, to not have the answers or the strength to keep fighting right now. But every time you wake up and face the day—without giving in—you’re quietly winning. You might not see it now, but that struggle is everything. You don’t owe the world an explanation. Just stay with yourself a little longer. That alone is enough for today. It’s worth it.

From one heart to another ❤️
hold on just a little longer.
You’re stronger than you know, and I’m quietly proud of you 🌟.

Here are some links that may help:
Trigger Warning for Linked Content:
The following videos contain sensitive and emotional content about suicide and its aftermath. They are intended to offer insight and perspective but may be difficult to watch or hear for some. Please only engage with them if you feel ready and comfortable. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, consider reaching out for support before or after viewing.

Trigger Warning: The following video, “A Message to Someone With Suicidal Thoughts” by Dr. Jordan Peterson, discusses suicide and may be difficult to watch. Please watch only if you feel ready, and take care of yourself.

Trigger Warning:
The following video, “My Son’s Suicide Note Will Change Your Life Today” by Jason Reid, discusses suicide, bullying, and the devastating emotional aftermath of losing a child. It is a deeply personal and powerful message from a father who wishes he had seen the signs earlier.
If you are a parent, guardian, or someone who works closely with young people, please consider watching this. It may be difficult—but it could also help you notice what so often goes unseen.

https://youtu.be/PW7Cx3iYYLk?si=7cbRXYB2kqpX9yn9

Take it one moment at a time. You are worth holding on for.

Note: The Free Your Mind Mental Health Society is an independent youth-led organization. The contents of this blog are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. In the event of a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 911 or other local emergency numbers immediately.