When life sucks, read.

When life sucks, read. Life can break us in countless ways. For some, the wounds run so deep they defy description. Everyone responds to hardship differently; each of us survives in our own way, with the resources we have. Sometimes, the small joys that bring color to life are diminished or taken away entirely. And the truth is, few people know how to manage their emotions. Fewer still truly understand their own suffering, fewer yet can battle depression, and only a rare few can consistently find those tiny moments of joy that keep the spirit alive or hold them afloat.

Some give up. They stop fighting, stop seeking things that might make them feel good, and surrender to a gray, cold, joyless existence. If you find yourself in this place—if you feel you can no longer find joy in anything—I have one of the simplest, most accessible, and effective forms of therapy to suggest: read. And learn.

People often ask me, “How do you know so much?” My honest answer is that I don’t think I know that much. What I do know has been shaped by the quality and intellect of the people around me, as well as my own curiosity. Others have asked, “Why have you learned so much?” or, more bluntly, “Has all this learning really helped you?” (a polite way of suggesting they see me as a failure).

My answer is a resounding “yes.” Investing time and money in myself and my education was the best decision I ever made. At first, I learned because it was my duty—school was my job, and learning was an obligation. Later, I began learning for myself. I stopped studying to impress parents, teachers, or peers. I stopped chasing grades, because grades never truly reflected my knowledge or abilities.

Learning has enriched my life in ways money never could. It has broadened my mind, given me perspective, built resilience, and provided tools to understand the world and myself. Education—whether formal or self-taught—becomes a shield against despair. Reading offers new ideas to ponder, new voices to hear, and new possibilities to imagine. It shows you that you’re not alone, that others have faced pain and still found a way forward.

So, yes—it has helped me. And it can help you too. Not overnight, not as a magic cure, but gradually, quietly, in a way that rewires your mind to see beyond suffering. The first step? Pick up a book. Read about something that fascinates you. Learn something you didn’t know before. Do it not to impress others, not to meet a requirement, but for the simple act of reclaiming a part of yourself from the inner void. Because when life is hard—and it will be—reading can be the light that helps you find your way out.