This to shall pass
The story
you know that saying "this too shall pass"? yeah, I see it everywhere and honestly, I’m kinda over it. I mean, do we really need a reminder that tough times won’t last forever? like, it’s kinda obvious, right? last week, I had one of those days where nothing goes right. I spilled coffee all over my favorite shirt, got stuck in traffic, and then my boss dropped a ton of work on me out of nowhere. it was just one of those moments where I wanted to scream. I remember sitting at my desk, feeling totally overwhelmed, and hearing my coworker say, "remember, this too shall pass." I smiled, but inside I was rolling my eyes, like seriously? you think I don’t know that? I know life is a rollercoaster, ups and downs and all that jazz, but it doesn’t make it easier when you’re in the middle of a low point. sometimes, you just want to vent without the pep talk. I get that people mean well, but it feels like such a cliché, ya know? just last month, I had a really rough breakup. like, it turned my world upside down. I was crying at all the random places, even in my car at red lights. one of my friends kept saying, “this too shall pass,” and I wanted to yell, “yes, but right now I’m just holding on to the box of ice cream and my sad playlist!” it’s frustrating when you just need someone to listen instead of throwing out some generic phrase. have you felt that way? sometimes it’s hard to see the light when you’re deep in the mud. I totally understand and appreciate the sentiment behind those words, but sometimes, I just want to wallow a little bit, you know? life feels like it’s throwing all sorts of curveballs, and every time I hear that phrase, it feels like yet another reminder that I'm stuck in this moment. so what if I want to sit in it for a while? sometimes I think it’d be nice to just let it all out and not have to hear someone telling me it’ll be okay. why can’t we just be real about how we feel sometimes? the world isn’t always sunshine and rainbows. it’s messy. you feel hurt, frustrated, and sometimes downright exhausted. that’s totally normal, right? my sister always tells me that life’s a marathon, not a sprint, and while I get that, dang, sometimes I just want to hurl my running shoes out the window and take a break on the couch with chips and a good show. it’s like we have this pressure to carry on and act like everything’s fine when really, it’s just not. I remember last year when I was stuck in a rut and couldn’t figure out what the heck to do with my life. friends would say, “hang in there; this too shall pass!” and I’d just nod, thinking to myself, "like, can you see I’m not actually hanging in there?" I wanted someone to recognize that my struggle was valid. we all deal with stuff differently. crying it out doesn’t mean we’re weak, and feeling frustrated doesn’t mean we’re not handling things. everyone has their moments, and I really think it’s okay to feel bad sometimes, without someone reminding us it’ll get better. like, when will it get better? I guess we just have to ride the waves and deal with it together. even when I see those words pop up again, in a post or a text, I’ll probably roll my eyes again. but I’ll also try to remember that everyone's just trying to support each other, even if it feels a little off sometimes. does that make sense? it’s tough, but I guess we just take it step by step, right?
Stories in the same category
Points of view
totally get what you're saying; sometimes those phrases do feel super repetitive. you're right, life isn’t always easy, and pretending otherwise can be exhausting 😅. "this too shall pass" might work for some, but like you said, sometimes you just want someone to listen. a few months ago, i was in a similar situation with work stress and just needed to vent without the silver lining talk. do you think people just don't know how else to comfort us during tough times?
hey, i hear ya, but honestly, i think that phrase helps a lot of folks keep their head up. sure, it can sound a bit tired, but sometimes those simple words are what people need to hear, especially when everything feels overwhelming; it’s kind of like a mental reset. i mean, life throws curveballs and having a reminder that things change isn't the worst thing🤷♂️ personally, i've found it useful in rough patches. maybe try flipping the script? how've you tried to cope in tough times without using that phrase?
i understand your frustration with that platitude. it often feels ineffective in addressing the nuanced nature of personal adversity. while the intention behind "this too shall pass" is benign, it sometimes negates the complexity of experiencing hardship. emotional catharsis can be more beneficial than redundancy; life's unpredictability can make it difficult to rely solely on such assurances. have you considered other mechanisms for coping when solace is elusive?
I appreciate your perspective, but have you considered that the phrase "this too shall pass" can serve as a cognitive reframe during challenging times? While it may seem cliché, it aids in fostering resilience by promoting a temporal perspective. Personally, I find solace in these words during moments of adversity; they remind me of the process of dynamic equilibrium, where balance eventually restores even in turbulent circumstances. Understanding that emotions and circumstances are transient can be empowering. Have you found that other phrases or strategies resonate more effectively with you during difficult periods?
i feel you 100%!!! those clichés can be so annoying when you're in the thick of it; sometimes you just need to sit in the mess, right? tbh, when i'm having a crap day, the last thing I want is someone telling me it'll get better. just give me my space to eat ice cream and binge-watch tv in peace! why can't people just listen without trying to fix it?? you nailed it with that emotional rollercoaster bit!
I completely agree with you! sometimes those standard phrases can feel really hollow and unhelpful when you're in the middle of it all. it's okay to just sit with your feelings and not rush to find a silver lining; we all need that kind of space. it's important to acknowledge that things may not be okay right now, and that's perfectly valid. life is full of ups and downs, and sometimes a good venting session is what it takes to feel a bit better. keep your head up! things will eventually turn around!!! 😊💪
yeah, "this too shall pass" can sound empty sometimes. it doesn't always help in the moment. having someone just listen can be way more comforting than clichés. but i also think those words can give us hope for better days. we all manage things differently, and that's totally cool. have you tried sharing your perspective with your friends? maybe they'll understand better. 😊 just remember, you're not alone in this!