Do you think it is important to go through times of struggle?

[Anonymous]

[SteveSmith1985]

I don't think that it's important to go through times of struggle. I think that everyone will go through those times of struggle though. If there's one thing I've learned in 38 years, it's that.

Everyone. And I do mean everyone goes through struggles. Now, different people have wildly different lives, circumstances and situations. Some people go through horrific, awful, unjust, and intensely difficult times of struggle. Some people have to go through things so horrible that they're hard to contemplate (a parent committing suicide, or a childhood full of sexual abuse for example).

Other people have nothing nearly so awful and traumatic. For some people the most difficult struggle they face might be... a relationship that ends and throws someone's whole world into legitimate turmoil.

So while there is no question (if you had to put it on a scale) that having your mother kill herself, is "worse" than someone who feels they have lost the love of their life. Both are times of struggle. It is relative.

The same person who had to cope with a parent's suicide, might have a different perspective where they to ALSO find themselves having lost an important romantic relationship.

I think though, that the "time of struggle" a person goes through having lost "the love of their life" can be every bit as important or significant in shaping a person; as something "worse" like the suicide of a parent. It depends on the person. It depends how someone copes with the time of struggle. Do they cope in a healthy way? Do they retain scars which affect them in the future? etc.

I think times of struggle are important. Insofar as they are significant in shaping who a person becomes. But I think times of struggle are inevitable. They will happen. You can (and should) do all you can to avoid times of struggle. You will still have those times in your life despite this.

So what I mean by it not being important to go through times of struggle is simply that nobody should feel like they lack something for not having struggled more. I don't think it works that way (unless you're talking about someone extremly spoiled). I don't think people need times of struggle to make them stronger/better.

I think times of struggle CAN make you stronger/better. But that's only something anyone ever feels if they have overcome their time of struggle, things are different now, and they're looking back on it.

Ask anyone who doesn't actually "come through" the other side of that time of struggling. It definitely doesn't always make one stronger or better.

You cope with struggles as best you can. Hopefully you come out of those struggles better for it. But there's no inherent benefit to struggling for a time. And struggling is way more likely to just... lead to more struggling. It is not an inherently fortifying thing. Sometimes it just beats you down, and you never really recover. (be that a mother's suicide, or a breakup/divorce)

I just don't think anybody should ever feel like they would be better off, had they struggled more. I think that's bullshit. 🙂

[dynamicyandere]

Start looking at your struggles as challenges that you can overcome.


By overcoming them, you will watch yourself grow and become a stronger and wiser version of yourself.


Overcoming hardship is necessary to grow in both maturity and character.

[Anonymous]

Yes, it makes you stronger and you learn something from it. Bad things happening in your life happen for a reason. You have to figure out that reason yourself and sometimes it's not something you can easily figure out in a day. Make sure you pray to God for help!

[Juneberry91]

A smooth sea never makes a skilled sailor. Without struggles we are not able to grow character. It’s in the seasons of life where The most valuable of lessons Are learned.

[ChillaxingLove]

Yes. You can only grow if you go through stuff and learn how to be better. That’s why I’m sorry for rich kids that are sheltered and spoiled, some are lucky and parents don’t give them everything.

if you haven’t been through anything how can you learn anything? Read it in a book? First hand experiences are the best teacher. Next time some one throws a punch you won’t use your face to block.

[Sleeper07]

For men yes, for women, not so much. Overall no.

You can always learn from people's others mistakes, and the past. There's no reason for you to step on hot coal to understand how painful it is.

[AydenHazor]

I think times of struggle shape us and teach us who we are in a way that nothing else can, but I would not wish them on anyone. I hope you have a community of support walking through these times with you.

[OfMiceandMen]

For sure, it builds character and helps you prioritize what is important in life.

[AimeeKyle]

Absolutely. Some of my most memorable and learning experiences came from struggles/adversity/failure. All the experiences makes you smarter and stronger.

[Justneedtokno]

Yes and no one is willing to put them in trouble situation. There are lessons within those struggles.

[exitseven]

yes, Nietzsche said what does not kill you will make you stronger.

[TacosRAwesome]

Of course not. You don't need trauma in your life to be successful.

[bolverk]

If you have never been though times of struggle you will never know what you true capabilities are.

[JoshMa]

Yes it shows growth and character along the way. If you're afraid to fail you're afraid to start simple as that

[Jltakk]

I've been through struggle, it has broken my very being. Too this day, I still struggle as a result of my struggles.

[David6668]

Yes without going through struggle even a seed can't be matured how can you

[MementoMori777]

Yea it builds character

[megabamse]

It sure helps us grow as a person that for sure.

[NostalgiaSenpi]

Some are just unnecessary.

[TheFlak38]

That's the meaning of life.

[EaterPeter]

Yes. Always happy people tend to live short.

[jimmy2]

Yes we all do they make us better in life

[serious]

Yes it is

[anon1903]

Frankly no