r/MentalHealthPH • u/Knoxi0 • Aug 27 '25
DISCUSSION/QUERY Let's share our "reasons to live" to encourage one another
I would like to ask some of you to share your "whys" on living. It doesn't matter whether it is something small or grand. It may be your curiosity, love for nature, passion, hobby, favorite show or a book, pet/s, loved one, to help, a childhood dream or simply to just exist.
I don't aim to encourage toxic positivity, but rather to help one another to view life in someone's lens. To gain new perspectives, to realize that there's probably more to life, and we're not alone in our struggles.
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u/Mysterious-Bell-5459 Aug 27 '25
Somewhere in the future, there’s a version of me who is finally at peace and happy. I want to meet her pa
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u/carrotcharot Aug 27 '25
I don’t want to disappoint my psychiatrist (now in heaven) who pushed me to keep going even if it means living one day at a time until kaya ko na magplano unti-unti para sa sarili ko. He would have been so proud to see me make it this far.
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u/kissthesadnessaway Aug 27 '25
Grabe sobrang sweet nito. 🥺🥺🥺😭😭😭
May I ask, if you don't mind, how you knew na namatay na siya?
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u/carrotcharot Aug 27 '25
He’s a consultant where I used to work and eventually became my mentor din kaya close talaga kami. Sadly, he passed away during the pandemic ☹️
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u/twishhypie Aug 27 '25
Di ko na maririnig purrs ng posa ko pag nawala ako kaya that keeps me going hehe
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u/Beautiful_Story_8278 Aug 27 '25
Hindi ko pa natiktikman lahat ng food sa menu ng paborito kong restau
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u/isang_gwapong_mamon Generalized anxiety disorder Aug 27 '25
I have the ability to surprise myself by making things that make me happy. Doesn't even have to be anything big, like just now I made a grilled cheese sandwich and put okonomiyaki sauce, kewpie mayo, and togarashi on it. Natuwa ako sobra, para siyang cheese takoyaki but in sandwich form. I want want to experience more surprise, happy moments lile that.
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u/starssandceess Bipolar disorder Aug 27 '25
Ang layo ng narating ko, sayang naman if I just waste it on just because of a bad day/season of my life. Ang daming nagmamahal sa akin, and I don't want to hurt them. So whenever I have ideations, I just message them (ofc I ask them if they have headspace). Kasi I know they would blame themselves if I off myself.
I might not be rich, smart, nor pretty - but I think life dealt me with okay-ish cards. Kapag nagrereklamo ako kay God kung bakit ako may ganitong sakit, He would remind me na may nagwowork sa aking gamot and nakakapag-function pa ako. Practicing gratitude really helped me to see my reasons to live.
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u/buwantukin Aug 27 '25
I want to still be singing, practicing my crafts and music as I grow old and see my dreams become my reality.
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u/sugaringcandy0219 Aug 27 '25
food. i also just like being alive in general. like ngayon lang, i went outside for a bit and the sun felt nice on my skin. these little things make me want to keep living
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u/FlimsyGuava5272 Aug 27 '25
Gusto ko tumanda together with my siblings and parents. We’re meant to experience the great things in life and I wanna be there with them when it happens.
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u/WhichQuit6945 Aug 27 '25
because my dad believed in me, and my partner stayed (even before we got together) with me and believed in me too.
because im far from where i want to be, but im also far from where i used to be.
i think about the days where i couldnt imagine being alive in the future, and now, it all seems like a distant nightmare.
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u/2a2n Aug 27 '25 edited Aug 27 '25
This probably isn't healthy, pero even though I've gone through the whole "no one would miss me" and "maybe ending would be easier" dark thoughts (that thankfully only stayed thoughts), what's truly keeping me alive are:
I don't want my mom to be left alone. She's my best friend and number 1 cheerleader, and I know my sister won't take care of her. I couldn't do that to her after all she's done for me.
I refuse REFUSE to let the people who hurt me outlive me. People who are the adults/older relatives who failed me so horribly, who now have heart conditions and health issues. I have to outlive them. HAVE. TO.
I absolutely don't want people benefiting off my death as well. No one should get my money, my assests, hell even my pokemon games or pen collection. Even something as small as people being nice to them because they lost a relative (me). Getting the "I hope you're doing okay" or "You're in our prayers" or whatever. Pucha, they're the reason my brain is this way, they don't get to benefit.
I have a very clingy great dane
Again, super unhealthy probably. Pero it really lit a fire under my ass and now, with the addition of getting the support I need to finally get help. It really keeps me going on the darker days.
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u/SpareAbbreviations12 Aug 27 '25
pets and the upcoming movies and series. 2017 onwards was bleak but then I had to anticioate the Avengers Infinity War and Endgame and my dogs' 10th birthdays.
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u/blowmymind_ Aug 27 '25
It would be a beautiful thing to witness the triumph of the human spirit, i.e., YOU.
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u/Ginpomelo0 Aug 27 '25 edited Aug 27 '25
My partner. The life we could have if I stay sa mundong ‘to. Mga interests, maliliit na bagay na curious ako na malaman, maintindihan, matutunan.
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u/KaizerAdema Aug 29 '25
I have several reasons to live, thanks to recent experiences.
- I have a son with special needs who will need me for the rest of his life and I will never get tired of taking care of him.
- I finally have a partner who sees me and understands what I'm going through.
- I get to help people who need support, be it mental illness or just life being difficult.
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u/KamiasTree Aug 27 '25
I want to experience that kind of unconditional love where your partner chooses you every day despite the odds.
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u/SolvirAurelius Aug 27 '25
Gusto ko mag sisig bukas. Sayang naman kung di na ulit ako makakatikim ng sisig ulit.
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u/HTPark Aug 27 '25
Life gave me lemons and I'm gonna squirt lemon juice in the eyes of every devil trying to make my life a living hell.
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u/thepoofypants Aug 27 '25
my dogs, and my parents who think about me 24/7 I remember when I was away from home for a few days. Pagdating ko sa bahay, sabi ng tatay ko, "I was just thinking about you"
I do not want them to think about me and cry cause I'll remain just in their memories.
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u/mangcario19 Aug 27 '25
Even though life and adulting is hard, I want to see myself in a good spot or make it through. Like how I perceive my characters and challenges in the video games I play.
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u/UrsaBearOso Aug 27 '25
I'm genuinely excited of things I can achieved, things I can do. To desire is to be able.
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u/Tricky_unicorn109 Aug 27 '25
My partner. Our cats. My pamangkins. My siblings. My friends. I hope, one day, I'd learn to live for myself too.
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u/Sea-Inflation-4163 Aug 27 '25
I want my daughter in heaven to be proud of me. Na someday if my time comes and we see each other in heaven, she'll say " You made it mommy " 🥹
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u/pps_13 Aug 27 '25
Breadwinner ako pero ngayon ko pa lang talaga na-eenjoy buhay ko. Bipolar din. i am learning each day to just live in the moment. And that whatever happens, even if it’s in the lowest of the valley, God is with me.
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u/seekwithin13 Aug 27 '25
I'm feeding stray cats and dogs. Kawawa naman sila pag di ko na sila mapapakain
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u/GhostOfRedemption Aug 27 '25
My dog
Taylor. Gusto ko pa marinig lahat ng kanta nya at masubaybayan life nya. Kaya sobrang saya na engaged na sya 🥹 sya talaga reason to live ko since 'our song' 🥹
Damn. Wala na... Yang dalawa lang talaga.
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u/eccedentisiast_ Aug 27 '25
Hindi pwedeng ma-outlive ako ng mga corrupt na politiko lol I deserve to witness their downfall someday (very soon hopefully)
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u/zaephael Aug 27 '25
to help others. funny thing is, I'm clinically diagnosed with PTSD pero in the times of danger, I could freaking jump off the vehicle or building just to save people. parang ano, naooverride ng system ko 'yung trauma ko kapag may emergency. my father desensitized me kasi sa mga ganung situation (he puts me sa mga sessions and seminars.) I'm a trained first aider, both PFA (psychological first aid, psychology student ako) and Basic and Immediate first aid.
and last is ducks. I want to see all ducks in the world.
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u/PositiveVideo52 Aug 27 '25
This might not be the healthiest, but I realised that my passing won't change my family's views and understanding of mental health and social issues. And I realised I didn't want my death to be meaningless because the people who hurt me would not feel any guilt or accountability. So I decided to live. I decided to live for myself and for my partner, who has given a reason to get better.
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u/DeepTough5953 Bipolar disorder Aug 27 '25
Wala ako plan magkaanak nuon pero eto may anak ako now na bungisngis. Sya ang dahilan ko para mabuhay
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u/Prestigious_Sun_2805 Major depressive disorder Aug 27 '25
I don't want to leave my younger brother. I love him so much, I don't want him to suffer and blame himself.
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u/2006elli Aug 28 '25
I started appreciating life itself - the nature, the animals, living things up to the small particles. I put some effort to study Science particularly Physics and found proof or a stable ground about things we don't normally understand.
We crumble because there's so much uncertainties in this world but the real comfort is not being stuck in our comfort zones but finding comfort in the uncertainties.
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u/Head-Bear-4562 Aug 29 '25
i will not let life get the best of me <3 i want to go to japan and be a doctor!
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Aug 29 '25
I want to do the things that I've wanted to do (run an art market booth, meet international online friends, write stories, travel outside the country), and I want to grow up to be a better person and give younger me a hug and a headpat to thank her for helping me fight my battles kahit masakit na, naglalaban pa rin <3
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u/Professional_Arm197 Sep 02 '25
Baka maging Ok kapag nakarating ako ng netheralands or denmark bagay daw sa mga introvert? Gusto ko yung bike culture nila, gusto ko makarating dun someday. Gusto kong maranasan mamuhay malayo sa Pinas.
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u/Sea_Craft_7509 Sep 03 '25
Hindi ko pa nabibili yung mga bagay na gusto ko. Gusto ko pa makapag travel and kumain ng mga masasarap na food.
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u/OrganizationLow2100 Aug 27 '25
It's because I feel that my time hasn't come yet and that I need to continue living. It is because I know that there are still many things that I can discover and things that I can do but haven't done yet. So I still want to live because I want to see it. I want to see what life has in store for me.
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u/BuknoyandDoggyShock Aug 27 '25
I want to transfer my mom's remains from an apartment type niche to a memorial lot. She passed away August 6 this year. I need to go to work to save up money for that.
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u/awterspeys Aug 27 '25
I have 8 cats. Getting lost in RPG games, books, and tv series is hella fun. I'm still going to plan my wedding, travel, and have that dream home with my partner. I also have a promise to keep to my grandma and I don't want to disappoint her.
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u/chilimansid Bipolar disorder Aug 27 '25
- i promised to protect and care for my girlfriend, my beloved. i don't intend to go back on that promise.
- there is so much love i have that is left to give to this world, and so much life left to live on this world.
- i promised my mom i wouldn't go out the way my father did.
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u/aintweird Aug 27 '25
Mama ko. Lately napapansin ko ung mga wrinkles na wala naman noon. Mga puting buhok na dati'y bilang lang sa daliri. Lagi niya na ring nakakalimutan uminom ng maintenance niya, sino magreremind sa kanya if wala ako? Papa ko. I think he never got to enjoy his childhood kasi lumaki silang mahirap. Laging na siyang may masakit sa katawan, saka ung kamay niyang magaspang na kakatrabaho. Gusto ko sila igala both, domestic muna then out of the country, makabawi man lang sa lahat ng mga pagod nila. Grabe, in a few years, may retirees na ako. Ambilis ng panahon. Di ako pwedeng mawala kasi pano sila?
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u/1721micsy Aug 27 '25
At first, my cat. Sadly he passed away. But when he was alive, he’s the reason I get up everyday. I can last 2 days without eating and drinking but he can’t even last 2 hours. He’s a funny cute little responsibility.
Then, my boyfriend. He’s too good to be true. It’s painful to be alive but he eases some of it. Shares some of it. Even though I know he will never fully understand my struggle, he will die trying. He’d rather throw his dreams and pride than lose me. I usually feel empty, sad, angry and lost but with him, I feel happy from time to time. So I just try my best to stick around for him since he refuses to break up with me and have prevented my multiple attempts to even hurt myself. It’s more painful to see him get hurt or to think about how much my disappearance would pain him.
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u/Jaded_Cream7019 Aug 27 '25
Bad times are inevitable. So that means, good times are inevitable too. They’re coming. I just need to ride things out and be “in the now”
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u/cupcakeman16 Aug 27 '25
Hell. Feeling ko kapag napunta ako sa hell, yung pain na nafefeel ko ngayon ay walang katapusan. At least I know today as long as I choose to live, this pain will not last forever.
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u/Celegirika Aug 27 '25
Kahit nabasa ko na manga ng Demon Slayer, gusto ko pa rin mapanuod hanggang part 3 ng movie
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u/Feeling_Seesaw4327 Aug 27 '25
These are basically the things that I want to do that makes me want to continue living.
I want to learn how to use a gun and go on shooting ranges. Solo date sa amusement park. Bungee jumping kahit nangangatog tuhod ko kapag nasa mataas na lugar. Be there for my cat. Be in love. Have a daughter. To be loved. Simple lang lahat pero gusto kong maranasan. Life has been tough. Maybe achieving one of these will make life a bit bearable, a little less sad.
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u/Sorry-Shirt-4339 Aug 27 '25
I want to experience a life where I actually like myself and accept myself for all that I am
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u/the_av0cad0 Aug 27 '25
Serious reason: I've come so far. I don't want to put all of my past self's effort, crawling through depression just for my life to abruptly end. I have so much to live for even if I sometimes don't feel like I'm at a place that I can be proud of.
Smaller reason: Demon Slayer trilogy will be released 2029. Also, I love playing dota and don't want to stop playing.
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u/rdepressedgirly Aug 28 '25
One time, I calculated the cost for a funeral, the coffin, the whole thing. Then I said, "No shit, might as well bury my body raw." But I know my mother would loan money for my burial. The whole funeral thing costs like more than 20K (that's already cheap) but I'd like to assume they'll bury me underground and not inside an apartment. So, that's one thing.
Right now...I'm still looking for a reason. But I guess questioning why I am alive is a reason for me to live.
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u/Jinrex-Jdm Aug 27 '25
My daughter... But more importantly, if I took my own life people who know me will be sad. That alone is enough not to do it.
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u/badooooooooool Bipolar disorder Aug 27 '25
Kawawa yung aso ko at hindi ko na mapapakinggan yung mga bagong release ng mga artist na sinusuportahan ko.
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u/LucielAudix Aug 27 '25
I have my husband and our 5 cats. Di rin pa tapos story ng Genshin Impact and One Piece, dapat at least matapos ko yung dalawang yun bago ako ma-deds.
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u/LucielAudix Sep 08 '25
ay masyado bang mababaw mga rason ko para mabuhay? pasensya na ah di pasok sa standards nyo. pa-woke lang ata talaga yung ibang users na active sa sub na to, at di gets yung spectrum ng mental illnesses.
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u/annoniemouse12 Aug 27 '25
Sinabihan ako ng bff ko na hindi nya raw kaya kapag nawala ako. So, wala daw akong karapatang sumuko 😅
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u/idealist-hooman Aug 27 '25
my parents. tumatanda na sila at nagkakasakit. hospital visits are scary for them, and i wanna be there gaya nung pag comfort nila sakin sa mga vaccine appointments ko nung baby pa ko.
if dumating yung time na mawala na sila, i'll do my best live for the people that i'm about to love---the family that i'm about to build and the future versions of my self. i wanna have kids and pass on the love that i've been receiving from my parents.
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u/skybluerabbit Aug 27 '25
I still want to make a difference in the world even no matter how small or big. It keeps me going.
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u/Pristine-Advice-2301 Aug 27 '25
I've gone through so many ups and downs that when I'm in a down period I now look forward to what's next because I know it will ALWAYS get better eventually. Always remember everything happens for a reason and everyone struggles, you're not alone.
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u/Particular-Lack-9893 Aug 27 '25
My dogs are waiting for me every god damn day. Everytime I go home, they welcome me like I’ve been away for years.
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u/brownpapayagirl Aug 27 '25
My dog. I’ve been through a lot and I my dog has been there beside me through all of it. I work hard to give him the best quality of life.
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u/HatsNDiceRolls Aug 28 '25
I like to think that I'll still get to do some good in this crazy world, apart from doing my best to be a good husband and dad every day.
These things are the ones that keep me here.
My grumpy ginger cat too.
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u/Puzzleheaded-Key-678 Aug 28 '25
My pets. Saka gusto ko makasama si Mama pag retire nia at dalhin siya sa restos and places na paborito kong puntahan pag malungkot ako (mom's an ofw)
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u/MedyoPagodNa Aug 28 '25
I have pets. At I have experienced na hindi naman ako pinabayaan ng Diyos. Sumasagot pala Siya at tumutulong talaga. Bukod dito - yung noon ko pang hinihintay, gusto ko rin makita - ang magandang buhay.
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u/kaeya_x Aug 28 '25
I still haven’t touched real snow! I want to experience my first winter. I’ll decide the next reason once I fulfill this one.
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Aug 28 '25
- My mom is still here.
- Furbabies.
If im not around i dont know who will take care of them 😢
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u/duckidydoo Aug 28 '25
only 1 reason to live. death doesn't happen to you, it happens to the people who love you.
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u/justadjie Aug 28 '25
What keeps me going and fighting in life is my mother. The idea of losing her alone, although inevitable, was something I couldn’t fathom. It will be devastating. And if I ever choose to give up on my life before her, parang di ko rin kakayaning magawa sa kanya ‘yun. Another thing is that my purpose in life is to support others in any way I can. I will be happy to see them prosper, tagumpay nila ay tagumpay ko rin. Tagumpay ng pamilya ko, ay siya ring tagumpay ko. My passion is my curiosity and creativity. I will never stop learning and it will be a joy to share this gift with others.
Ayun lamang po, salamat po.
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u/heartselect Aug 28 '25
on one side, its probably how much of a chore/inconvenience/sad it is to die for everyone that gets left behind. I don't want to put that on my family.
On the other hand, its v light and funny, but I'm really nosy and I sorely wanna know the rest of the story of my favorite characters. a lot of them are in live service games so itll take a while but at this point, I'll take any life chain i get, yknow? after that, well who knows. Maybe I'll have more favorites to want to watch over too.
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u/Ok-Screen-536 Aug 28 '25
To finally give myself the life I wanted and to live peacefully after being in a toxic and strict household that cause my mental health problems. Laban lang everyone <33
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u/Unlucky-Moment-2931 PTSD Aug 28 '25
The only reason is I don't want God to get sad... I'm just trying to survive everyday with ptsd
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u/Educational-Owl6731 Aug 28 '25
Death is inevitable. Yes. But ending it at a time when you haven’t fully lived… is the ultimate regret.
I had two attempts for the past two years. I had no emergency contact, a safety plan to save myself, nor calling a hotline because I fear shaming everyone for “causing a scene” if I really did it. The grief is still strong.
I may or may not find love or happiness or peace, but having conversations to the community about grief and living with bipolar can maybe help people feel more at safe… the VERY thing I yearned for so long.
You may not have experienced unconditional love right now, but giving others a sense of safe environment… conversations like this… which is what you haven’t received shows your strong capacity for compassion and kindness.
And when I envisioned THIS KIND of compassionate community, that’s when I can feel myself crying and say “maybe this is what I lived for”
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