"The sadness will last forever"

Vincent van Gogh, the brilliant but troubled artist, said those words on his deathbed. When you think about it, the core idea here is that some feelings—especially deep, overwhelming sadness—can feel like they're permanent. It's like carrying a heavy backpack filled with rocks; no matter where you go or what you do, that weight is still there.

Van Gogh's life was a mix of intense creativity and profound sorrow. Imagine being in his shoes in the late 1800s. He was constantly battling mental illness, struggling to be understood, and yearning for recognition that never really came during his lifetime. It's no wonder he felt that his sadness would never lift—it was his constant companion, always lurking in the corners of his mind.

Let’s look at a practical example. Think about someone dealing with chronic depression today. They're not just sad for a day or a week; it's a persistent feeling that colors everything. It's like trying to see the world through a smudged window. No matter how sunny it is outside, the view is always a bit gray and blurry. This person might function in their daily life—go to work, smile at friends—but inside, there's a storm that won't pass.

So, how can we use van Gogh's sorrowful realization in our own lives? First, it's about acknowledging that sometimes, sadness feels like it's here to stay. Ignoring it or pretending it's not there usually makes things worse. Instead, recognize it. Give it a name. Talk to it. Then, find ways to lighten that heavy load, even just a bit. It could be therapy, medication, or simply talking to a friend who gets it.

Imagine sitting down with a friend at a cozy coffee shop. You're both nursing your lattes, and your friend confides in you, saying they feel overwhelmingly sad and can't shake it. Instead of offering quick fixes, you listen. You empathize. You share that sometimes, sadness feels never-ending, but that doesn't mean there's no hope. It just means the journey might be longer and harder than expected.

I remember a time when a close friend of mine was in that exact situation. She felt like she was stuck in a loop of despair, and no matter what she tried, it seemed like nothing would change. But instead of giving up, she took small, deliberate steps. She started journaling—venting her feelings onto the pages. She joined a support group, connecting with others who understood her pain. It was a slow process, and there were many setbacks, but gradually, she found moments of relief and even joy.

In essence, while van Gogh's words capture a deeply human experience of enduring sadness, they also remind us that we're not alone in our struggles. Everyone carries their own burdens. The trick is to recognize that while the sadness feels eternal, our approach to dealing with it can evolve. We can seek help, connect with others, and find pockets of light in the darkness. It's about taking it one step at a time and remembering that while sadness may feel like it lasts forever, it doesn’t have to define us forever.