this post was submitted on 28 Feb 2025
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[–] [email protected] 1 points 36 minutes ago* (last edited 35 minutes ago)

I can think of two reasons.

First reason: because things can and probably will get much better. Joy in life comes from the little things. That sounds cliche but it's true. If I could talk to my 14 year old self, who was severely depressed to the point of trying (and thankfully failing) to take his own life, I would tell him about the next 20-ish years. Even though much of it will be hard, it will still be good. And he will grow in ways and get to experience things that he can't even begin to imagine. That's one thing I'm glad he failed at.

Second reason: because believe it or not, you will leave a giant crater in the life of someone (or multiple someones) where you once existed My great grandpa hung himself in 1929. That's all I know about him aside from his name. I never met my grandpa (died of cancer) but I remember my dad telling me a little about the impact it has on his dad, who was about 15 at the time of his father suicide. Long story short, my grandpa basically stopped growing emotionally at 15. He was a teenager who was very suddenly thrust into the role of an adult.

I don't know what was going on with my great grandpa that led him to take his own life. I do know that what he left behind was a disaster. Including three generations of trauma, manifesting itself as a cycle of physical, verbal, and emotional abuse. He effectively destroyed his children who proceeded to pass that destruction all the way down to me.

If you've never watched Ted Lasso which I highly recommend, one of overarching themes is Ted's difficulty dealing with his father's suicide, which occured when Ted was 15. It's a light hearted show overall but there are a few scenes that really hit right in the feels.

Even if you don't have kids, there are people who's lives will be permanently altered for the worse by your untimely death. Some will blame themselves, wondering what they could have done to prevent it.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 44 minutes ago

I think my baseline for existence would be continuous pain and immobility so as long as I'm doing better than that I'm in the + column for remaining alive and embodied. I can walk, read, eat and drink, fuck, work, hear, see (kind of), touch things, listen to music, dance... Not gonna be able to do any of that without a body. So in the selfish way, I want to be alive to enjoy all that, it's well worth the pain of existence to me.

In the unselfish way, I know the difference between losing an old relative to old age, and a younger relative to suicide. The former doesn't hurt, you know they got a good run, can celebrate their life. The latter can really shatter the lives of everyone close to you, in a way that causes grief so lasting and physically and emotionally damaging. I wouldn't do that to anyone.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 hour ago

No one knows what happens when you die, things could get worse after death and in that case suicide is not a solution but rather a next step towards something even worse.

Given that it is currently impossible (as far as I know) to know what happens at death, the decision to suicide is an uninformed decision of tremendous magnitude.

If by killing yourself things get worse, what would be the next step?

Would you be in a better position to turn things around in the afterlife (assuming that there is one) or now in this life?

In summary, the reason why you should not kill yourself is because you do not know what will be the result of that action your death: your death is not a guaranteed solution to anything.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 hour ago

My mother would be truly devestated, and I don't trust people to take care of my cat the way I want.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 hours ago (1 children)

Because bad times dont last for ever!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 hour ago

Going on about 20 years of bad times for me.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 hours ago

My best friend ended his life nearly tw o years ago. I am still mournig and feel like I will never get over it. I cry at least once a week.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 5 hours ago

Life ist the only dramedy about you you'll ever have, so might as well experience that and with a little bit of Yolo attitude!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 hours ago

Taking action takes effort.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 7 hours ago

Life is the only thing a human is guaranteed to have - and, as far as I’m concerned, we only get it once. To finish it early seems a terrible waste. It’s the only thing we’ll ever get to do. Might as well give it a bit of a go… it’s not like it goes on for ever, anyway.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 7 hours ago

That next great show is only like 5 years away

[–] [email protected] 6 points 8 hours ago

Because I want to outlive my enemies.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 9 hours ago

Good things can't happen anymore. You might also say that bad things can't happen either, but if it's over then there's no opportunity at all. Life can change as long as it's there.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 4 hours ago

Because things will get better.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 8 hours ago

Who is going to change the smoke alarm battery?

[–] [email protected] 5 points 9 hours ago

A lot of life is about perspective. I have a checklist, of things that make life worth it for me. They're gonna vary from person to person, obviously, but when I get super depressed, I go through my checklist in my head. I have cats that depend on me and I value their wellbeing. I have relationships with people I care about and want to see. (and kids I want to see grow up) There's still things I want to learn, places I want to see, and things I want to do. Small things, too, like wanting to see the end of a show or enjoy a favorite food. Life has it's hardships, but it also has a lot of things we get to enjoy - and I want to be strong enough to live through the hardships to enjoy the good things. Idk man it all probably sounds kind of cheesy, but watching the sunset brings me a lot of joy. Life doesn't have to be perfect to be worth living.

[–] [email protected] 62 points 15 hours ago (4 children)

You can always end it later, so stick around a little longer and see how things play out.

[–] [email protected] 30 points 14 hours ago

Weaponized procrastination, I like it

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 hours ago

This is my philosophy too. If you're gonna do it then there's no harm in doing something fun first, and if it's still bad tomorrow you can finish it then. Having suicide as an option always on the table is a bit freeing, honestly. Momento mori and all that.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 14 hours ago

Everything ends and everything changes.

Might as well see what will come your way.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 11 hours ago

You can't piss off the haters if you're dead.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 10 hours ago

I get to pet dog

[–] [email protected] 4 points 10 hours ago (1 children)

I think Albert Camus' Myth of Sisyphus addresses this somehow.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 hours ago* (last edited 2 hours ago)

Somewhat, it seems reasonable for one to throw their life away if they come to the conclusion that it has no meaning or purpose yet they are constrained by human nature to search for it.

Camus argues that we should revolt against this and embrace life regardless of how meaningless it is, he uses Sisyphus as a comparison to the absurdity of all this, pushing the boulder up the hill and watching it fall back down again is the only life, a meaningless one, that Sisyphus knows yet he is still able to find purpose in it and revolt against the gods.

EDIT: I realise I've essentially paraphrased the Wikipedia article, so apologies

Camus is great, and the Myth of Sisyphus is definitely worth a read especially for those with existential despair but I don't think it's a panacea for the causes of suicide unfortunately.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 9 hours ago

The MOMENT you do, inevitably the world will start getting better.

I would advocate for tuning out of reality over suicide. Move to the middle of nowhere, cut off internet, spend your days chilling and farming. You always have the option of reinterpretation after stuff improves.

[–] [email protected] 20 points 14 hours ago (2 children)

this is what your enemies would like to see. don't have enemies? make some

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 hours ago

Don't do the Nazis' job for them.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 12 hours ago

And make sure you're alive long enough to spit on their graves.

[–] [email protected] 29 points 16 hours ago
[–] [email protected] 26 points 15 hours ago (1 children)

Food tastes good

Sunsets are awesome

Some people are worth being around

You might mess up the attempt and end up worse off than you are now

Religion might be right and you end up in the bad place

[–] [email protected] 7 points 14 hours ago (1 children)

Religion might be right and you end up in the bad place

With modern life being as it is, we would be screwed either way in most religions. Everyone is probably breaking at least a couple of dozen rules in every religion.

Even if you just need to follow a central "be kind"-rule - how kind is it to buy stuff on Amazon, packed and delivered by wage slaves, which was imported from China (which may include child or slave labour) [or some US states for that matter] while also hurting the environment in the process.

There is no ethical consumption under capitalism. Thanks for coming to my TED talk.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 14 hours ago (1 children)

Literally the entire plot of The Good Place

If anyone still haven't watched it, they should.

BORTLES! 🍾🔥

[–] [email protected] 7 points 14 hours ago

Such a good series, but I deliberately didn't mention it here as not to spoil too much😅

[–] [email protected] 4 points 10 hours ago

Id rather die for something bigger than me and my mental anguish if im gonna knowingly off myself.

Ive lived through too much shit to make the weakness of the day take me out.

But I'll go when I wanna go too. But it'll be me saying "my time here is done" not in pain but acceptance and peace. Not despair.

Can't let that shit win.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 10 hours ago

Because you have a destiny and a purpose way beyond your current comprehension and it is so much bigger than whatever misery you are feeling at any point in life. You have to find what that destiny and purpose is, believe me, because otherwise it would only be a massive opportunity squandered. Let me explain - you are the universe itself, so incredibly lucky to be able to come alive, with an opportunity to experience and appreciate the universe itself, there is a much bigger connection you have to the stars and to all that has life. If you are true to yourself and chase what your heart desires and remove all the noise, you will find your purpose, also called self-actualization. Not to mention you are living in the most comfortable, connected, beautiful time any species including humans was ever afforded. On separate note, it is very understandable and valid if you feel like shit given the current affairs, but if you believe me, this had to happen, and this only means better times will be here sooner rather later.

[–] [email protected] 15 points 15 hours ago

My partner and dog would be sad.

I don't have nearly enough credit card debt to annoy the cc companies when I die

[–] [email protected] 8 points 13 hours ago (1 children)

My apartment will fine me if I don't bring the trash cans back inside before 9PM, so I gotta be alive for that.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 12 hours ago

I'm glad I don't live in your complex!

[–] [email protected] 13 points 15 hours ago* (last edited 15 hours ago)

Life is experienced only by those who live it. The thing that keeps me not going through with it, is literally FOMO. As much as life is filled with things that suck, and things that I hate, I know there is the very real possibility that something new will come along that I will have regretted not getting to experience.

When I remember the things that I have experienced since the time I tried to kill myself I'm high school, I am glad I didn't. I would've regretted not making the new friends I did, and meeting the love of my life, and all of the the great times I've had, even though the shitty times that drove me to the edge, still persisted.

When I remember the things that I have experienced since the time I tried to kill myself in college, I am glad I didn't. I would've seriously regretted missing out on the freedom of independent living, and the parties with friends, and precious memories I've made in that time.

When I remembered the time I tried to kill myself after loosing my 3rd job in a row, and hanging on the edge of poverty for just one too many times, I'm glad I didn't. I would of seriously regretted missing out on buying my first house, and never getting to meet my baby girls.

When I think now, that life is shit, and not worth continuing, I remember those past times and know that it was impossible to know what could've been ahead of me, and how glad I am I stuck around to find out. So I keep on struggling through, because I know that there's bound to be some unkown thing, at some unknown time, that I will definitely want to be around to see.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 16 hours ago
[–] [email protected] 6 points 13 hours ago

I can tell you with absolute certainty that when it’s no longer a choice, you’ll want to be alive.

So don’t try to sudoku yaself. You would likely severely regret the decision as your life is ending.

Life can be really hard at times, but it can also be really good at times. Time is fleeting. Life is the good and the bad. Without the bad times, you wouldn’t be able to feel how good the good times are.

Whatever you’re going through, take care of yourself during this time, and you’ll come out okay.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 15 hours ago (2 children)

Losing someone to suicide sucks. I'm willing to bet there is at least one person in your life who would be sad (or perhaps devastated) if you suddenly died. Even if it means continuing on while unhappy, don't put that person through such an ordeal.

Depression is a temporary condition. It feels like it'll last forever and that life can never go back to the way it was, but that's not true. It might change you, and that change might be for the worse, but you can escape it. You can. It's hard, but it'll be worth once you're on the other side.

Start by seeking professional help. There are affordable (and, depending on your area, perhaps free) options out there. Then, change how your mind thinks. Don't let those thoughts rule you. Fight them! You can do it!

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