Life isn’t always easy. There are times when everything feels burdensome, and the world appears to be a challenging journey. Sometimes, you might question your path or even wonder if it is worth going forward.
But no matter how dark things seem, there are always reasons to live—reasons to live, to keep living, and to keep going.
Let’s explore why life is worth living and how to find your purpose when needed.
Understanding the Struggles We Face
Life is full of challenges—heartbreak, failure, loss, or feeling stuck in routines that no longer serve us. These struggles can leave us feeling isolated or overwhelmed, but they’re also part of what makes us human. Everyone faces difficulties, even if they look different from the outside.
Henry Ford once said: “When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.”
8 Steps on How to Find Reasons to Live and Keep Going
1. Acknowledge Your Feelings Without Judgment
The first step to finding hope is acknowledging how you feel. Whether you’re overwhelmed, sad, or lost, validating those emotions is important instead of pushing them away.
Putting on a fake smile does not help; it is like covering a wound that needs stitches.
Think of your feelings as waves in the ocean. They rise, they peak, and they eventually fall. Acknowledging them without judgment allows you to process what you’re experiencing and take the first step toward healing.
If this feels difficult, consider journaling your thoughts. Research shows that writing can help you organize your emotions and see patterns that might not be clear otherwise.
2. Connection: The Importance of Relationships
One of the most profound reasons to live is our connections with others. Whether it’s family, friends, colleagues, or even your community, relationships remind us that we are part of something bigger than ourselves.
Even if you feel isolated right now, consider reaching out to someone—a trusted friend, a family member, breeze-wellbeing.com, or a counselor. If face-to-face interactions feel too overwhelming, texting or calling is a great first step.
You might also find solace in new connections. Joining a support group, volunteering, or participating in local events can help you meet people who share your experiences or values.
3. Discover the Beauty in Small Moments
Think about a time when you were happy, like when you saw the sun rise, listened to your favorite song, or laughed with a friend. These small but meaningful moments can remind you of the beauty in life.
Practice being mindful if you are having a hard time finding happiness right now. Take a moment to notice the world around you. What can you hear, see, or smell?
Even something as simple as the sound of leaves rustling or the warmth of a cup of tea can help you reconnect with the present and find reasons to keep going.
Mindfulness has many health benefits, including less stress, better mental and physical health, and more happiness in general, according to studies.
4. Purpose Doesn’t Have to Be Big
Discovering your purpose doesn't require possessing all the answers or a predetermined life plan. Finding meaning in life is easy when you do things you enjoy, help out friends, or care for a pet.
If you’re unsure where to start, ask yourself:
- What brings me even a small sense of satisfaction?
- Who or what do I care about deeply?
- How can I make a positive impact, even in small ways?
5. The Promise of New Beginnings
Every day is an opportunity for a fresh start. No matter how stuck or hopeless you feel, there’s always potential for change. Think of your life as a book. As the author, you have the freedom to flip through the pages at any time.
Beginnings do not have to be big changes. It could be as simple as trying a new recipe, going for a walk in a different neighborhood, or starting a gratitude journal.
About gratitude…Positive psychology research shows that being grateful is strongly and consistently linked to being happier. Being grateful makes people happier, helps them enjoy good times, stay healthy, deal with problems, and make connections stronger.
6. Helping Others Can Bring You Back to Life
One of the best ways to find hope again when life feels heavy is to help other people. Research from the Journal of Positive Psychology shows that helping others not only benefits them but also boosts our own happiness and sense of purpose.
Knowing you’ve contributed to someone else’s well-being can reignite a sense of meaning in your own life and make you keep going.
You might volunteer at a local shelter, check in on a friend who’s struggling, or even write a kind note to someone.
7. Gratitude: A Simple Practice for Hope 
Start small. Every day, write down three things you are thankful for. It could be as simple as a comfortable chair, a kind word, or a moment of peace.
Over time, this practice can help rewire your brain to notice the positives, even during difficult times.
8. You Are More Resilient Than You Think
Life’s challenges can feel insurmountable, but you are stronger and more capable than you realize. Think back to times when you faced adversity and overcame it. What helped you then? Those same strengths are still within you.
This is called resilience. Strengthening your resilience can also help keep you from getting mental illnesses like anxiety and depression.
Resilience doesn’t mean never feeling pain—it means continuing to move forward despite it.