Attempt Quote by Terri Cheney
““It’s a little-known secret, and it should probably stay that way: attempting suicide usually jump-starts your brain chemistry. There must be something about taking all those pills that either floods the brain sufficiently or depletes it so completely that balance is restored. Whatever the mechanism, the result is that you emerge on the other side of the attempt with an awareness of what it means to be alive. Simple acts seem miraculous: you can stand transfixed for hours just watching the wind ruffle the tiny hairs along the top of your arm. And always, with every sensation, is the knowledge that you must have survived for a reason. You just can’t doubt it anymore. You must have a purpose, or you would have died. You have the rest of your life to discover what that purpose is. And you can’t wait to start looking.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Personal essay by Terri Cheney, 2022
A near‑death experience can reset brain chemistry, leading to heightened awareness of life and a sense of purpose.
In simple terms: Surviving suicide may spark a new appreciation for living.
Key Takeaway
Embrace the renewed perspective and explore purpose.
Themes
mental health
awakening
purpose
survival
Mood
reflective
hopeful
Type
personal
motivational
When to use this quote
- therapy sessions
- personal reflection
- creative projects
- volunteering
Key Concepts
neurochemistry
existential meaning
post‑traumatic growth
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you channel this newfound awareness into lasting change?
- What supports help sustain purpose after crisis?
A Different Perspective
The insight may be temporary and not universal; not everyone experiences clarity.
![“[ ] manic sex isn't really intercourse. It's dicourse, just another way to ease the insatiable need for contact and communication. In place of words, I simply spoke with my skin.” quote by Terri Cheney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/aea/terri-cheney-27205_communication_manic-sex-isn-t-really-intercourse-it-s_1599815.jpg)
