Are You a Human? Feeling Bad is Part of the Gig. And Isn't That a Relief?
Have you ever caught yourself thinking, "Am I even human?" in the midst of feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, or downright miserable? It’s a thought that crosses many of our minds when life takes a turn for the worse, or when the weight of the world seems too heavy to bear. But here’s the thing: Feeling bad is part of the gig of being human. And, believe it or not, that’s actually a relief.
The Pressure to Be Perfect
In a world that constantly pressures us to be happy, successful, and “together,” it can be easy to forget that struggle, hardship, and discomfort are natural parts of the human experience. Social media bombards us with images of people living their best lives—vacations, promotions, flawless selfies—and it’s easy to feel like something’s wrong with us when we don’t feel like we measure up. But what if the truth is that feeling bad, feeling frustrated, and experiencing pain isn’t a flaw in the system—it’s part of the system itself?
Think about it: If we were constantly “on,” constantly happy and content, how would we know what joy even feels like? How would we appreciate the highs without the lows? Feeling bad, even though uncomfortable, is the other side of feeling good, and both are essential to the full human experience.
Embrace the Struggle
It sounds counterintuitive, but there’s something powerful about accepting that feeling bad is a normal part of life. This doesn’t mean wallowing in misery or allowing negative emotions to control us. It means acknowledging that difficult feelings—sadness, anger, confusion, anxiety—are valid and worth exploring.
In fact, feeling bad can be a teacher. It can help us learn more about ourselves, our values, and what truly matters to us. Pain and discomfort often push us to grow, to reevaluate, and to shift our perspective in ways that comfort simply cannot. In that sense, your bad feelings are not an inconvenience—they are the raw materials of growth.
The Freedom of Acceptance
Here’s where the relief comes in: What if we stopped fighting against feeling bad? What if we stopped pretending that we should always be happy, always be optimistic, always be “perfect”? The pressure we put on ourselves to maintain a constant state of joy and success is exhausting. But when we accept that feeling bad is part of the gig, we can let go of that pressure and give ourselves permission to just be—no need to be anything more than human.
When you’re in a tough spot, remember: You're not broken. You’re not failing. You’re simply experiencing life as it comes. Sometimes it’s messy. Sometimes it’s uncomfortable. And sometimes it hurts. But it’s all part of the beautiful, imperfect experience of being human.
Finding the Silver Lining
What’s even more beautiful about embracing our bad feelings is that it often leads us to a deeper appreciation of the good moments. You can’t fully experience joy without having known pain. You can’t fully appreciate peace without having faced chaos. It’s this contrast that makes the highs feel so much higher and the lows more bearable.
So, the next time you’re feeling bad, take a moment to breathe and recognize that this is a part of your journey. It doesn’t define you, it doesn’t diminish your worth, and it certainly doesn’t mean you’re failing. It just means you’re human.
And isn’t that a relief?
In Conclusion
We are all walking this imperfect, messy, unpredictable path called life. And as humans, we are wired to feel, experience, and process a wide range of emotions. Feeling bad isn’t a flaw. It’s a sign that you’re living. You’re learning. You’re growing. So, embrace those moments, sit with them, and know that the relief comes not from avoiding the bad feelings but from accepting them as part of the gig. After all, this is what it means to be human—and that, in itself, is pretty extraordinary.
If you’ve ever felt like you’re the only one struggling, rest assured: You’re not alone. It’s okay to feel bad. It’s okay to not have it all figured out. Because, guess what? You’re exactly where you need to be.
With Love and Joy,
Sheila & Delaney