A year of heavy vibes
Writer Louise O’Neill had a rough 2023. After a long-term relationship ended just months after buying a home, she faced a domino effect of personal setbacks—from fertility challenges to intense panic attacks. She even tried a pricey yoga retreat in Thailand, but honestly? It didn't fix the internal struggle. She felt like she was stuck in a permanent state of resentment, and the trauma was living rent-free in her head.
The mountain reality check
When her dad turned 63, he requested a family hike up Carrauntoohil, Ireland’s highest mountain. O’Neill wasn’t feeling the main character energy; she was exhausted, suffering from insomnia, and lowkey wanted to stay in her "victim" bubble. But the hike turned into something else entirely when her mother fell 20 to 50 feet down a rocky gully.
Watching her mother crash into a boulder changed everything. In those terrifying hours waiting for the air ambulance, O'Neill’s previous heartbreak suddenly felt small. She realized that while a house can be sold and a broken heart can heal, losing her mom would be the only truly unfixable thing. Her mother survived, and the experience gave O’Neill a massive reality check.
Why it matters
Sometimes life throws a massive curveball that makes you realize your current problems aren't the end of your story. O’Neill’s experience shows that while pain is real, you don’t have to let it become your identity. She didn’t stop hurting overnight, but she learned she wasn't ruined—she just needed to begin again. If you're spiraling over a breakup or a life L, take this as a sign to look for the perspective shift you might be missing.
