Reasons to live

If no reason to keep going comes to mind right now, read some reasons here.

Read the list slowly. Write two or three reasons that speak to you on a piece of paper or in your Next-Steps Plan under “What is worth living for, for me?”.

Joy and happiness

Moments of laughter with loved ones
Reaching a goal, for example finishing a course or painting a room

Relationships

Family, for example a call to your sister or your grandfather
Friends to eat with, walk with or talk to on the phone
Love and closeness with a partner

Personal growth and self-discovery

Learning new skills, from languages to instruments
Getting through a hard task, for example an exam or a move

Making a difference in the world

Volunteering in your community or abroad
Standing up for a cause, for example animals or your own neighborhood

The beauty of nature

Sunrises and sunsets that paint the sky
The first warm spring day, snow in winter

Passions and hobbies

Painting, singing, writing, taking photos
Sports and movement, for example swimming, cycling, dancing

Dreams and goals

Finishing a project at work
Projects of your own, for example writing a book or building a shelf

Love and compassion

Giving and receiving love
Kindness, for example bringing a neighbor a cake

New perspectives

Travel, even to the next town
Reading and learning about different cultures and ideas

Simple pleasures

A good meal and the joy of flavors
Quiet moments alone, for reflection and peace

Feeling emotions fully

Joy and sorrow – the whole spectrum of human experience
Being afraid and still taking the next step

Future generations

Raising children or being there for a godchild
Showing a younger person one’s own skills

Change and new beginnings

Finding a new group, for example a choir or a sports club
Starting fresh, for example with a completely new hobby

Inner peace

Meditation and mindfulness – sitting still and breathing for five minutes
Prayer or spiritual practice, as an offer

What does an inner voice that loves life say?

Drawn group of figures with speech bubbles such as “I have plans”, “I am confident”, “I want to talk” and “I have the choice”

Every person has a variety of inner parts. Open the sentence that fits a part of you:

I love life – but it should be better

Answer with warmth and without pressure, and work with me constructively. A part of me says: “I love life – but it should be better”. First ask me what I have been through. Is it understandable that a person then longs for something completely different in life? What have people in such situations already done? Tell me right away what can come once the hardest part has been overcome, and back it up with scientific studies.

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I have plans

Answer with warmth and without pressure, and work with me constructively. A part of me says: “I have plans”. First ask me a few short questions about what this part means. Then show me small next steps that suit it. Name sources and studies for your statements.

I am interested

Answer with warmth and without pressure, and work with me constructively. A part of me says: “I am interested”. First ask me a few short questions about what this part means. Then show me small next steps that suit it. Name sources and studies for your statements.

I have dreams

Answer with warmth and without pressure, and work with me constructively. A part of me says: “I have dreams”. First ask me a few short questions about what this part means. Then show me small next steps that suit it. Name sources and studies for your statements.

I am competent

Answer with warmth and without pressure, and work with me constructively. A part of me says: “I am competent”. First ask me a few short questions about what this part means. Then show me small next steps that suit it. Name sources and studies for your statements.

I want to talk

Answer with warmth and without pressure, and work with me constructively. A part of me says: “I want to talk”. First ask me a few short questions about what this part means. Then show me small next steps that suit it. Name sources and studies for your statements.

I want to get help

Answer with warmth and without pressure, and work with me constructively. A part of me says: “I want to get help”. First ask me a few short questions about what this part means. Then show me small next steps that suit it. Name sources and studies for your statements.

I am the creative part. Listen to me.

Answer with warmth and without pressure, and work with me constructively. A part of me says: “I am the creative part. Listen to me.”. First ask me a few short questions about what this part means. Then show me small next steps that suit it. Name sources and studies for your statements.

I have the choice

Answer with warmth and without pressure, and work with me constructively. A part of me says: “I have the choice”. First ask me a few short questions about what this part means. Then show me small next steps that suit it. Name sources and studies for your statements.

I am longing for …

Answer with warmth and without pressure, and work with me constructively. A part of me longs for something different. First ask me what for. Is it understandable that a person longs for something completely different in life? What have people in such situations already done? Tell me right away what can come once a first step in that direction has been taken, and back it up with scientific studies.

Every person has the right, first and foremost, to be heard and seen – without any attempt to cheer them up or to offer a solution.

“I love life – but it should be better.” Good to know. There is someone in me who has an idea – and a memory – of a better life. Today, listen to this part for ten minutes and write down what it says.

I always have a choice. To which inner part will you listen first?

Which further themes matter to you?

Connecting with loved ones

Answer with warmth and without pressure, and work with me constructively. The theme “Connecting with loved ones” matters to me. First ask me a few short questions about my situation. Then show me small, doable first steps. Name sources and studies for your statements.

Pursuing personal passions

Answer with warmth and without pressure, and work with me constructively. The theme “Pursuing personal passions” matters to me. First ask me a few short questions about my situation. Then show me small, doable first steps. Name sources and studies for your statements.

The joy of discovery

Answer with warmth and without pressure, and work with me constructively. The theme “The joy of discovery” matters to me. First ask me a few short questions about my situation. Then show me small, doable first steps. Name sources and studies for your statements.

The impact of kindness

Answer with warmth and without pressure, and work with me constructively. The theme “The impact of kindness” matters to me. First ask me a few short questions about my situation. Then show me small, doable first steps. Name sources and studies for your statements.

Finding purpose in life

Answer with warmth and without pressure, and work with me constructively. The theme “Finding purpose in life” matters to me. First ask me a few short questions about my situation. Then show me small, doable first steps. Name sources and studies for your statements.

Exploring new hobbies

Answer with warmth and without pressure, and work with me constructively. The theme “Exploring new hobbies” matters to me. First ask me a few short questions about my situation. Then show me small, doable first steps. Name sources and studies for your statements.

Exercising regularly

Answer with warmth and without pressure, and work with me constructively. The theme “Exercising regularly” matters to me. First ask me a few short questions about my situation. Then show me small, doable first steps. Name sources and studies for your statements.

Embracing creativity

Answer with warmth and without pressure, and work with me constructively. The theme “Embracing creativity” matters to me. First ask me a few short questions about my situation. Then show me small, doable first steps. Name sources and studies for your statements.

Practicing gratitude

Answer with warmth and without pressure, and work with me constructively. The theme “Practicing gratitude” matters to me. First ask me a few short questions about my situation. Then show me small, doable first steps. Name sources and studies for your statements.

Setting and achieving goals

Answer with warmth and without pressure, and work with me constructively. The theme “Setting and achieving goals” matters to me. First ask me a few short questions about my situation. Then show me small, doable first steps. Name sources and studies for your statements.

Understanding self-worth

Answer with warmth and without pressure, and work with me constructively. The theme “Understanding self-worth” matters to me. First ask me a few short questions about my situation. Then show me small, doable first steps. Name sources and studies for your statements.

Appreciating the little things

Answer with warmth and without pressure, and work with me constructively. The theme “Appreciating the little things” matters to me. First ask me a few short questions about my situation. Then show me small, doable first steps. Name sources and studies for your statements.

Enjoying nature

Answer with warmth and without pressure, and work with me constructively. The theme “Enjoying nature” matters to me. First ask me a few short questions about my situation. Then show me small, doable first steps. Name sources and studies for your statements.

Exploring new cultures

Answer with warmth and without pressure, and work with me constructively. The theme “Exploring new cultures” matters to me. First ask me a few short questions about my situation. Then show me small, doable first steps. Name sources and studies for your statements.

Nurturing physical health

Answer with warmth and without pressure, and work with me constructively. The theme “Nurturing physical health” matters to me. First ask me a few short questions about my situation. Then show me small, doable first steps. Name sources and studies for your statements.

Enhancing spiritual well-being

Answer with warmth and without pressure, and work with me constructively. The theme “Enhancing spiritual well-being” matters to me. First ask me a few short questions about my situation. Then show me small, doable first steps. Name sources and studies for your statements.

Balancing work and life

Answer with warmth and without pressure, and work with me constructively. The theme “Balancing work and life” matters to me. First ask me a few short questions about my situation. Then show me small, doable first steps. Name sources and studies for your statements.

Building meaningful careers

Answer with warmth and without pressure, and work with me constructively. The theme “Building meaningful careers” matters to me. First ask me a few short questions about my situation. Then show me small, doable first steps. Name sources and studies for your statements.

Every person has the right, first and foremost, to be heard and seen – without any attempt to cheer them up or to offer a solution.

Choose one theme and take a small step toward it today, for example going outside for ten minutes. Write the theme in the Next-Steps Plan under “What is worth living for, for me?”.

How do I bring more of what does me good into my everyday life?

Every person has the right, first and foremost, to be heard and seen – without any attempt to cheer them up or to offer a solution.

Answer with warmth and without pressure, and work with me constructively. Recently something did me a little good. First ask me what it was. How can I bring more moments like this into my everyday life? What do studies say about how small pleasant experiences can work?