by Wonsuh Song
These days, we hear more and more about the severity of depression. Social media overflows with images of other people’s “perfect lives,” and the worlds of college admissions and job hunting are rife with intense competition. With news feeds constantly highlighting despair and cases of extreme choices on the rise, it’s no wonder we feel uneasy. Still, there’s one fundamental point we should remember in the midst of this chaos: you don’t actually need a grand reason to justify why you live.
If someone asks, “Why do you live?” there’s no need to present a lofty explanation. Perhaps life isn’t necessarily supported by some grand reason or purpose. Much like how breathing and eating come naturally, we live simply because we were born. In many ways, that’s enough.
People often lament, “I haven’t achieved anything,” or “Why can’t I be as successful as everyone else?” But if you think about it, being able to stand on your own feet, grasp objects with your hands, and see the world with your own eyes is meaningful in itself. You don’t need an impressive goal to justify your existence. If a reason appears, fine. If not, just living your life is still a valid choice.
Through social media and various other channels, we’re inundated with glimpses of others’ luxurious homes, gourmet meals, or vibrant social gatherings. Inevitably, we start to wonder, “Why can’t I live like that?”
Comparison often yields one of two results: feelings of inferiority or feelings of superiority. Both ultimately harm our well-being. They prevent us from accepting ourselves and feed a relentless cycle of anxiety and self-doubt. One of the biggest factors making life difficult is precisely that tendency to compare ourselves to others.
In difficult times, “be grateful” may sound hollow. Yet if we pause and look around, we’ll realize how many things warrant our gratitude. Consider the simple act of walking, the ability to see the world clearly, or the fact that we can eat and breathe each day. Think of those in intensive care units or children born with serious illnesses—recognizing their circumstances underscores how fortunate we are just to be alive. There’s no need to measure the “magnitude” of gratitude. It could stem from something as small as the greenness of trees, a stranger’s brief smile, or how better weather lightens our mood.
When the window of gratitude opens, happiness finds a way in. Depression and anxiety often recede, even if just a bit, and our focus shifts from what we “must do” to what we “want to do.” That shift, in many cases, is what keeps our minds healthier.
Of course, a certain level of social security is necessary to enable this kind of lifestyle. Telling people to “just live freely” is meaningless if they’re struggling to secure basic housing or pay the bills. Hence, society needs systems where everyone is ensured a minimal standard of living, allowed to choose their own paths, and granted the freedom to rest when needed.
Ultimately, doing what we truly want may be the richest way to live. Having the freedom not to do anything, and the freedom to pour our energy into something if we choose—both freedoms should coexist in a balanced society. There, we won’t be as easily caught in the snare of comparing ourselves to others.
When we obsess over finding a profound answer to “Why live?” we can actually wind up more anxious. That’s why I prefer to say: “We live simply because we were born.” If that resonates and offers even a hint of comfort, perhaps it’s enough. Rather than “no reason equals no meaning,” I’d suggest “no reason means natural freedom.”
To anyone carrying a heavy burden in their heart, allow me to offer a simple word of encouragement: “You are not wrong. You’re doing well, and you are already enough.” If we can discover small joys in daily life, we can gradually push away depression and that reflex to compare. In doing so, we may come to feel there truly is value in being alive, if only because we exist.
Someday, I hope we’ll inhabit a world where the “power of gratitude” helps us rise above despair and fear. We don’t need a grand purpose to prove we deserve to live—merely embracing our own existence can reveal how precious life really is. And I hope more people can share in that realization.
Wonsuh Song (Ph.D.)
Lecturer at Shumei University / NKNGO Forum Representative
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