“Denial is a survival strategy for unbearable reality”

Simplified Meaning:

Sometimes when people face very tough or painful situations, they might refuse to accept what’s happening. This is done because the truth is too hard to handle and denying it helps them cope, even if only temporarily. For example, if someone loses a loved one suddenly, they might act as if the person is just away on a trip to avoid the overwhelming sadness. In history, during wars or disasters, some people pretended things were normal because accepting the full extent of the danger was too frightening. In day-to-day life, if a student fails an important exam, they might pretend it’s not a big deal to avoid feeling like a failure. This approach can be a way to protect oneself until they're ready to face the reality eventually. However, while it can be useful in the short term, staying in denial too long can prevent someone from moving forward and finding solutions.