The Sufferhead Syndrome: Stop Glorifying Suffering

The Sufferhead Syndrome: Stop Glorifying Suffering

Many of those not Davido’s fans are not one because they believe it was easy for him. After all, his father was wealthy. Many Ronaldo fans don’t support Messi because he is naturally talented, but Ronaldo works hard.

Some men would not date a wealthy lady because they believe she is not fit to be a wife. After all, she has not tasted suffering. Some of our parents are bitter at this generation because they believe we have everything easy, fast, and comfortable, unlike when during their time when everything was hard.

All these examples are what we call the Sufferhead Syndrome. We are so used to glorifying suffering that it has become a rite of passage. So before we give anyone their roses, we want to ensure they suffered for it.

We romanticize suffering. It is the basis upon which we are judged. It is the SI unit for measuring success, and when people do not meet up to standard, shame is deployed to make such a person not feel good about themselves.

We need to separate suffering from success.
You don’t have to suffer to make it big.
You don’t have to suffer to get a good education.
You don’t have to suffer from being in the perfect relationship.
You don’t have to suffer from being a man or a woman.

The sufferhead syndrome robs us of the joy in the things we do and experience, the people we love, and the places we go. However, suffering is not equal to success. We don’t need to have a sob story before being regarded as successful.

If you come from a wealthy family, and your wealth is handed to you, that’s fine. If you have to work hard for yours, that’s also fine. Suffering does not make you a better person. Stop Glorifying Suffering.

Women don’t have to wash with their hands, spend all day in the kitchen, and endure hardship and suffering before being regarded as good women. Likewise, men don’t have to work their asses off before being considered real men.

Wizkid is not better than Davido because he hustled from the bottom. Ronaldo is not better than Messi because he had to work extra hard.

Suffering is not a score point. The sufferhead syndrome robs us of beautiful things. Kill it.