On Getting Out of Bed: The Burden and Gift of Living

by Alan Noble

This is one reason why we don’t want to be honest when someone asks us how we are doing. Why admit to failure or weakness? If we tell the truth, they’ll start offering advice, recommending some new method for “fixing” our problem, for overcoming anxiety or achieving our fullest potential or whatever. By the time they are done, we’ll just feel the weight of a new obligation, another method to try, and another chance to fail. “Have you tried this diet?” “I heard regular exercise can improve your mental health. Maybe that’s your problem.” “Here’s a book on prayer.” “I heard this scientist on a podcast talk about how your mental disorder can actually be treated by drinking more water.” If you suffer from a chronic mental illness, these conversations can be particularly humiliating because they remind you of all the things that have already failed to cure you. And you just feel tired of the whole thing.