As we enter 2026, psychologist Dr. Margaret Nakhid-Chatoor presents a profound reflection on the dualities of human existence, emphasizing that true living involves embracing both joy and sorrow, triumph and failure. The new year represents an opportunity for personal renewal, yet for many, it evokes complex emotions ranging from hopeful anticipation to profound despair and isolation.
The poignant phrase “Don’t die before you’re dead” serves as a powerful manifesto against emotional surrender, urging individuals to actively choose purposeful living despite life’s inevitable challenges. Dr. Nakhid-Chatoor emphasizes that genuine well-being transcends mere avoidance of mental health crises, requiring instead the conscious cultivation of resilience, meaningful connections, and daily courageous choices.
Drawing from Viktor Frankl’s profound insights as a Holocaust survivor, the commentary highlights how humans can discover purpose even amidst unimaginable suffering. Frankl’s observations from concentration camps revealed that those who found meaning demonstrated greater resilience and maintained their humanity under extreme conditions.
The analysis addresses contemporary mental health challenges, particularly noting how social media platforms can exacerbate feelings of inadequacy, loneliness, and negative self-perception through constant exposure to curated perfection. Dr. Nakhid-Chatoor recommends mindful social media usage and prioritization of authentic, face-to-face relationships.
The new year offers a metaphorical blank canvas for personal transformation, encouraging active engagement with life rather than passive endurance. The psychologist advocates for conscious awareness of emotional numbness and deliberate reconnection with personal values and meaningful relationships.
Ultimately, the message affirms the inherent value of each individual’s life and the transformative power of choosing one’s response to suffering. This choice represents the fundamental difference between merely existing and truly living—where endurance becomes courage, pain transforms into wisdom, and isolation evolves into genuine connection.
The commentary concludes with an inspirational charge for 2026: to choose courage over fear, connection over isolation, and meaning over emptiness, carrying Frankl’s enduring wisdom into the new year.