This Too Shall Pass: Meaning, Comfort & Life Lessons

I. Introduction

There are days when life hits you so hard that even getting out of bed feels like a battle. Maybe it was the morning you woke up to a breakup text you never saw coming. Maybe it was the moment your boss called you into the office and told you the company was “moving in a different direction.” Or perhaps it’s the quiet, lonely nights when the pressure on your chest feels heavier than anything you can name—bills piling up, relationships drifting, health slipping, motivation fading.

We all have those moments—the ones where you stare at the ceiling and wonder if things will ever get better. And in those fragile seconds, when life feels unbearable, it’s important to remind yourself: this too shall pass.

Sometimes this simple sentence is the only thing that keeps you from drowning in the noise of your own thoughts.

II. Understanding “This Too Shall Pass”

“This too shall pass” is not just a pretty phrase people toss around when they don’t know what else to say. It’s not a fortune-cookie line, and it’s definitely not meant to minimize anyone’s struggles. Instead, it’s a small, powerful reminder that every emotional state—whether joy or despair—is temporary.

The phrase “this too shall pass” has comforted countless people through life’s toughest moments because it shifts your perspective. It helps you step out of the intensity of the moment and see the bigger picture. It’s a grounding tool. A mental reset. A gentle nudge telling you that pain is not permanent, and neither is fear, confusion, or heartbreak.

Rather than offering a dry definition, think of it as a hand on your shoulder during the storm—quiet, steady, and reassuring.

III. Why Life’s Challenges Are Temporary

Everyone encounters seasons of struggle. Jobs are lost. Relationships fade. Plans fall apart. Life rarely moves in a straight line, and even when it feels like you’re stuck in the same painful loop, change is always unfolding beneath the surface.

From a psychological perspective, humans experience something known as hedonic adaptation—our minds adjust over time to both positive and negative events. This means even the sharpest pain eventually softens. From a philosophical viewpoint, everything in life is governed by impermanence. Nothing stays exactly as it is—not joy, not sadness, not success, and not failure.

To bring this idea closer to life, imagine someone who went through a devastating breakup and believed they would never feel whole again. Months later, they find themselves laughing at a café with new friends, building a life they didn’t know they could have. Or think of the person who lost a job and felt humiliated and scared, only to later discover a new path that fit them better than anything before.

That’s the quiet truth of being human: we break, but we also rebuild.

So when facing hardships, remember that this too shall pass, and brighter days will return—even if you can’t see them yet.

IV. Embracing Change: How “This Too Shall Pass” Helps You Grow

Growth rarely comes wrapped in comfort. More often, it’s hidden inside the moments you wish you could skip—the disappointments, the unexpected endings, the uncertain beginnings. These experiences shape resilience, empathy, patience, and depth of character.

When you remind yourself that using the mantra “this too shall pass” can help you navigate life’s unpredictable twists, you’re not running away from reality. You’re learning to face it with clarity instead of panic.

There are simple practices that make this mindset easier to hold onto:

Meditation, to help you return to the present instead of spiraling into worst-case scenarios.
Journaling, to untangle your emotions and see patterns you couldn’t see before.
Intentional positive thinking, not in a toxic way, but in a grounded, realistic form that helps you stop catastrophizing.

When you internalize the idea that every difficult moment is temporary, you stop resisting change—and you start learning from it. It becomes easier to accept what life brings, release what life takes away, and trust that every chapter, even the painful ones, has something to teach you.

V. Finding Calm During Tough Times

When life feels too heavy to carry, small grounding habits can make a surprising difference. You don’t need dramatic life changes; sometimes all you need is one quiet moment to reset your mind.

Start with your breath.
When anxiety tightens your chest, place your hand over your heart and inhale slowly. Count to four, hold for two, and breathe out for six. This simple rhythm tells your nervous system that you are safe. And whenever anxiety creeps in, remind yourself: this too shall pass, and take a deep breath.

Put your emotions into words.
Writing down what you feel—even messy, unfiltered thoughts—can reduce emotional pressure. When your feelings are trapped in your body, they grow louder. Once they’re on paper, they become easier to understand and manage.

Talk to someone you trust.
You don’t need solutions. You need connection. Sharing your worries with a friend, partner, or family member doesn’t erase the problem, but it lightens the emotional weight. Sometimes hearing someone say “I understand” is enough to keep you going.

These simple practices turn “this too shall pass” from a nice saying into a practical coping tool—one that helps you navigate daily stress without losing yourself in it.

VI. Appreciating the Good Times

We often think about “this too shall pass” only during painful moments, but the truth is that it applies just as much to joy. Good days pass too—sometimes faster than we expect. That’s not a reason to feel sad; it’s a reason to savor life while it’s happening.

Think about the last time you laughed so hard your stomach hurt, or the last quiet evening when everything felt calm and easy. Those moments are more precious because they don’t last forever. Impermanence teaches us gratitude.

So even in moments of joy, it’s wise to remember that this too shall pass, making the present all the more precious.
Instead of rushing toward the next achievement, the next milestone, or the next source of validation, slow down. Appreciate the softness of now. You’ll never get this exact moment back.

When you recognize the fleeting nature of both hardship and happiness, you stop clinging to life—and start experiencing it fully.

VII. Real-Life Stories & Quotes

Sometimes the most powerful way to understand a message is through the stories of others. Here are real-life–inspired examples that show how deeply the idea of “this too shall pass” can shape a person’s journey.

1. J.K. Rowling

Before Harry Potter became a worldwide phenomenon, J.K. Rowling was living through her darkest chapter. She was a single mother, unemployed, struggling with depression, and relying on government assistance. She once described herself as “the biggest failure I knew.”

Yet she continued writing.

Years later, her books changed the world and reshaped her life. Reflecting on her journey, Rowling said:

“Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.”

Her story is a powerful reminder that even in moments when life feels unbearable, this too shall pass.

2. Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey grew up facing poverty, abuse, and instability—trauma that could have destroyed her future. Yet she transformed her pain into strength and rose to become one of the most influential women on the planet.

She often shares this truth:

“Where there is no struggle, there is no strength.”

Her life proves that emotional wounds can heal and that suffering is temporary. What feels impossible to survive today may become the foundation of something powerful tomorrow.

3. Michael Jordan

In high school, Michael Jordan was cut from the varsity basketball team—an experience that could have ended his dreams. Instead, he trained harder, turning that painful moment into the fuel that shaped his legendary career.

Jordan once said:

“I’ve failed over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”

His journey captures the essence of this too shall pass—failure is temporary, but determination lasts.

VIII. Conclusion – A Gentle Reminder

Life will always come in waves—moments that lift you, moments that knock you down, and moments that reshape you in ways you never expected. You won’t always be able to control what happens, but you can choose how you carry it.

When happiness arrives, cherish it. When sorrow visits, allow yourself to feel it without believing it will stay forever. Every chapter, no matter how difficult or beautiful, eventually gives way to another.

So the next time life feels overwhelming—when your chest tightens, when the future seems unclear, when you feel stuck in a moment you didn’t ask for—pause, breathe, and ground yourself in the truth that has carried countless people through their hardest nights:

Whenever life overwhelms you, whisper to yourself: this too shall pass.