"Whatever does not Kill you Makes you Stronger"

Does it make sense?

This phrase, "Whatever does not kill you makes you stronger," is often used to encourage people who are going through tough times. It suggests that we emerge more resilient and capable when we face challenges or difficulties that don't defeat us. The idea is that surviving hardship builds strength, character, and endurance, which can help us handle future struggles more easily.

The quote is often attributed to the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche and is a very popular saying. It reminds us that hardship, while painful, can lead to personal growth if we survive it. But let's consider whether this is realistic.

In some ways, the saying makes sense. For example, if someone goes through a rough period, like a financial crisis, a relationship breakup, or even losing a job, they might learn valuable lessons from the experience. They could discover how resourceful or resilient they are. They might become better at handling stress, more confident in their ability to get through hard times, or simply more appreciative of the good things they have.

On the other hand, this saying doesn't quite fit in some situations. Not all experiences that don't "kill" us make us stronger. Sometimes, they leave us hurt or wounded in ways that don't improve us. Think of someone who has gone through serious trauma, like a physical injury or the loss of a loved one. While they may survive, they might be left with lasting scars, whether physical, emotional, or mental, that take a long time to heal. In these cases, the person might not feel stronger at all.

So, is the quote realistic? It's a question that can only be answered on an individual basis. For some, the challenges they face will indeed make them stronger. They'll learn, grow, and bounce back even better than before. For others, the same challenges might leave them feeling weaker or more vulnerable. We're all unique, and we all deal with pain in our own ways.

In real life, it's more complex than getting stronger after every tough experience. Sometimes we grow, and sometimes we need time to recover. And that's okay. What's most important is not putting pressure on ourselves to always feel like we have to come out stronger, but sometimes just getting through is enough.

I had an uncle who used to say, “It isn’t work that kills you, it’s aggravation.”