"No Pain, No Gain", Helpful or Harmful

In Sigmund Freud’s theory of Psychoanalysis, he discusses what he likes to call the pleasure-pain principle. This states that humans tend to avoid pain and just want pleasure, whatever form of it. If something is good, in your eyes, take it, and if something is bad, avoid, ignore, discard, and throw it away.

This principle is seen in our lives, very early on, maybe even till now. However, as we go through life, we learn that pain is essential in living a substantial and meaningful life. Pain is a very effective teacher. It shows us rock bottom and helps us aim higher. It is said that hard work grows the mind. Be that as it may, the mind is exercised and challenged by taking on difficult experiences that may be painful, frustrating, and confusing, and finding a way to deal with them or to face them. Opportunities lie behind challenges and these said of challenges always bring about pain and a sense of such so we cannot grow without pain. 

This saying is also telling us to have a long-term outlook instead of seeking short-term gain since that is more beneficial in life; that instead of acquiring a sense of happiness that may be short-lived, we should be open to suffering if in the end, we end up truly happy and successful.

Now, whilst these claims may be true, I find this statement also bearing a sense of pain and harm, in itself; that this quote may bring harm rather than good, if not more.

Granted, it is an inspiring line that pushes people to their limit and helps them unlock and achieve a better version of themselves but as said, it pushes them to their limit, and that is not always a good thing. Sometimes, pushing ourselves to our extent gives us more pain, it may even be tortuous to do so. In relation to that, everyone’s limits are different and like limits, so is their definition of pain. 

Everyone has their own meaning of pain; the concept, the word, and even the experience of such varies between each individual. Following this saying may subsequently lead to more pain or injury, rather than actually helping us grow. 

Let us use a workout analogy as an example, some people follow this saying when working out or exercising for it can be very motivational, to the point that it is even written on some gym walls. People push their body to the limit to get to a certain shape or to, essentially, be healthier than before. Now, while that may lead to them getting better since they are being driven with this saying, they may end up getting injured or worse, as well.

Adding onto that, every problem is unique in its own way, it is also multifaceted which adds to the complexity of this quote fitting in every situation. With that said, the guarantee of gaining something after all that pain is not assured; there is also the possibility that you don’t gain anything at all. There can also be scenarios wherein you gain something but it is not worth everything you have gone through or sacrifice.