Living a Life Worth Living (Even When It Hurts)

We spend so much of our lives trying to make the hard parts go away — anxiety, grief, loneliness, shame. It’s only human to want relief. But what if the goal isn’t to erase pain, but to learn how to live with it — and still move toward what matters most?

This quote from Marsha Linehan has always stayed with me. As a therapist (and as a human being), I see again and again that healing isn’t about reaching a perfect, pain-free version of life. It’s about building a life that feels worth being here for — one moment, one breath, one small act of courage at a time.

Living a “life worth living” doesn’t have to mean radical joy or constant positivity. Sometimes it just means cooking yourself a meal, showing up to therapy, taking a slow walk, or letting yourself rest without guilt.

We don’t have to be fixed to be whole. We can live meaningfully, even in the mess.

What helps you move toward a life that feels worth living, even when things are hard?