Photo by Anthony Tran on Unsplash
Perhaps one of their most famous songs, and written by their then drummer, Bill Berry, Everybody Hurts is an anti-suicide anthem which delves into the loneliness that many people often feel.
Berry describes the mindset of someone who is hopeless and tired: The long days, lonely nights, feeling exacerbated with life itself. His exploration details the depth of the despair. The experience is endless, days and nights merge into a never ending, tiresome experience from which the person wants release.
But there is hope. Even in this pit of despair, there is hope. So, what does the song suggest? How do we grasp hope when everything is so bleak? To hang on. Even when things are at their darkest, we need to make the decision to be courageous and hang in there. To choose not to be overcome. This is a really hard message. But there is something tangible we can hang on to even when it seems, everything is too hard - the knowledge that this is an all too human shared experience.
Feelings of despair are never unique to you or me alone. All of us feel despair to a greater or lesser extent at one time or another throughout our lives. We may feel like we are alone in this experience, but we’re not. Our darkest experiences and thoughts will have been experienced by others too. You are not alone, regardless of how many friends you may or may not have, you are not alone.
So, take encouragement from REM. Whether what you are experiencing this week is suicidal thoughts, or a more situational and passing concerns causing you anxiety, our feelings are also shared and common to other people too. You are not alone.
Want to get the song on Amazon? Click here.
Please note that any purchase made using this link will earn us a small commission which helps support our work of making living life well accessible for all.
