The holidays are a great time of the year for many. But they can also be a very hard time for others.
Around this time, many consider taking their lives. In fact, for our generation, suicide is on the rise. It is now the second leading cause of death, accounting for 17% of all deaths in young adults. With the pressures of life and unexpected situations, it can be challenging for some of us – especially during this time of year – to think of reasons why it's great to be alive.
To inspire and help those who may be feeling down, we wanted to put together a list of 71 reasons to choose to live. You never have to take your life, there is always a rainbow through the clouds.
The people who you love
Netflix
Saturday morning cartoons
Clean sheets
Forehead kisses
Getting your first ever paycheck
Coming home after a long trip
Watching old sitcoms
Listening to your favorite song on repeat
Having a long conversation with you best friend
Bonfires
Satisfying a cookie craving
Lazy Sunday afternoons
Visiting family for the holidays
Great books
Getting an email from someone you haven’t heard from in a while
Silly Snapchats
Great novels
Fuzzy socks
New opportunities
Waking up and realizing you can still sleep in
Loosening your belt after Thanksgiving dinner
Finding your significant other
Laughing until tears come out of your eyes
Good hair days
Traveling
Cuddling
Fitting everything you need for a trip in one suitcase
Graduating from school
Trying new foods
Parties
Looking at the sky at night and finding constellations
Holding hands with someone you have a crush on
Getting an instant reply to your text message
Being hired at your dream job
Going out for breakfast after a great night with friends
Taking exciting risks
Birthdays
Stopping to pet a friendly dog
Clean laundry
Date nights
Hearing “thank you” when you did someone a favor
Finding money in your pocket
Taking time to pamper yourself
Road trips
Candy
Moving to a new city
The perfect handshake
Finding jeans that look like they were made for you
Hearing your mom say she’s proud
Looking back on who you were a year ago and realizing how far you’ve come in just a year
Seeing someone smile
Hearing someone laugh
Feeling the sun on your face
Seeing the sunrise and sunset
Being there as your loved ones age
Being there to see new life
Getting butterflies as you fall in love
Warm hugs and kisses from people you love
Seeing how one kind word can change someone's life
Seeing how a small gesture can inspire someone
Watching hilarious comedians on TV when you're bored
Driving fast on the highway when it's allowed
Knowing that you can change your life at any moment
Do what many say is impossible because you believed you could
The big hug you give to an old friend you haven't seen
Going to all the places on your bucket list
Anticipating each new chapter of your life
Trusting and seeing how everything happens for a reason
Stuffing yourself with delicious food because it tastes too good not to
Fulfilling uncompleted dreams
What are your reasons for choosing to live? We're sure you can add even more to this list.
(Note: If you or anyone who you know is considering taking their life, then please read this information: The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a 24-hour, toll-free, confidential suicide prevention hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. No matter what problems you are dealing with, they want to help you find a reason to keep living. By calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255) you’ll be connected to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area, anytime 24/7. You can also visit You Matter, which promotes the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to young adults who may be personally or may be supporting another who feels like they don’t matter or that they’re alone. It was created to show and help young adults throughout the world know that suicide is preventable. No one never, ever has to take your life.)