The Relentless Need to Keep Going

By Caroline Harroe (Harmless CEO)

‘The world breaks everyone, and afterward, many are strong at the broken places’ – Ernest Hemingway

Hemingway, a master of capturing the human spirit in all its complexity, understood the relentless nature of life’s challenges. His words resonate deeply, reminding us that strength is often forged in the crucible of adversity.

Being an adult can sometimes feel like an endless marathon with no finish line in sight. We wake up, put on our ‘functioning adult’ costumes, and push forward, even when our internal world feels like a fragile mosaic held together by hope and sheer willpower.

For those of us carrying the weight of past trauma, difficult childhoods, or mental health challenges, this relentless forward motion can be particularly exhausting. The world doesn’t pause for our healing, for the days when simply getting out of bed feels like a monumental victory.

We’re expected to juggle responsibilities, maintain relationships, and pursue goals, all while silently battling internal storms that threaten to overwhelm us. It’s a constant balancing act, a tightrope walk between holding ourselves together and acknowledging the deep cracks within.

And yet, we keep going.

We find strength in unexpected places – in the kindness of strangers, in moments of quiet self-compassion, in the resilience we never knew we possessed. We learn to embrace our vulnerabilities, to acknowledge our limitations, and to celebrate the small victories along the way.

We learn that healing is not a linear journey, but a messy, beautiful dance between falling apart and piecing ourselves back together, stronger and more compassionate each time.

Just like Hemingway suggests, we become strong at the broken places. These cracks, these scars, become testaments to our resilience, reminders of how far we’ve come and how much we’ve overcome.

So, to those who feel shattered inside, remember this: you are not alone. Your struggles are valid, your resilience is remarkable, and your journey is worthy of compassion.

Keep going, even if it’s one tiny step at a time. Keep going, because you are stronger than you think. Keep going, because your story matters.

If you’re struggling and need support, please reach out. Harmless is here to help.