FIGHTING TO THRIVE
Fighting To Thrive (A Poet’s Negative View On Life Some Days)
Do you ever wonder why you even exist?
Like you’re a punching bag and life is the fist?
Can’t seem to break the cycle, no matter how hard you try.
Surrounded by angry people who are quick to lie.
I don’t want my depression to begin to resurface.
Need to reevaluate myself and remember my purpose.
But my nerves are shot, they’re about to break.
No matter what I do , every move’s a mistake.
Am I the only one that ever feels this way?
That this life gets harder, day by day?
It’s a struggle to remind myself that things will get better.
When my eyes only seem to get wetter and wetter.
But don’t worry about me. I will always survive.
I just wondered if I was the only one that ever fought to thrive.
Original Poetry Written By
Eryn Dunbar
Copyright (c) 1.30.2025
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Existential Questioning:
The opening lines, "Do you ever wonder why you even exist? / Like you’re a punching bag and life is the fist?" immediately set a tone of existential angst and the feeling of being overwhelmed by life's hardships. This reflects a common human experience of questioning one's purpose amidst adversity.
Cycle of Struggle:
The poem articulates a sense of entrapment in a negative cycle, with phrases like "Can’t seem to break the cycle, no matter how hard you try." This resonates with many who feel stuck in patterns of behavior or circumstances that seem unchangeable.
Social Environment:
Eryn touches on the impact of a harsh social environment, mentioning "Surrounded by angry people who are quick to lie." This highlights how external negativity can exacerbate personal struggles, adding layers to the individual's battle against depression.
Mental Health:
There's a clear acknowledgment of battling depression and the fear of its resurgence with "I don’t want my depression to begin to resurface." This speaks to the ongoing management of mental health, the vigilance it requires, and the personal effort to maintain one's mental well-being.
Self-Doubt and Anxiety:
The lines about nerves being shot and every move feeling like a mistake delve into the personal anxiety and self-doubt that can plague someone in a depressive state. It's an honest portrayal of how one's perception can be clouded by their internal struggles.
Universality of Suffering: By asking "Am I the only one that ever feels this way?" Eryn touches on a universal feeling of isolation in suffering, yet there's an underlying hope for solidarity in these experiences. This question invites readers to reflect on their own battles and find common ground.
Resilience and Hope:
Despite the dark themes, the poem ends on a note of resilience with "But don’t worry about me. I will always survive." This juxtaposition of despair and survival instinct speaks to the human spirit's capacity for endurance and the hope that things will improve, even if current circumstances seem bleak.
Final Reflection:
The poem concludes with a poignant question about fighting to thrive, suggesting not just survival but a striving for something more meaningful or fulfilling. This could be seen as a call to all who read it to recognize their own battles and perhaps find motivation in shared human resilience.
Overall, Eryn's poem is a poignant reflection on life's challenges, the internal and external battles against mental health issues, and the enduring human spirit that seeks purpose and hope amidst chaos. It's a piece that invites empathy, introspection, and perhaps a sense of community among those who have felt or are feeling similarly......as I do personally.