No matter who you are, you've most likely heard this phrase somewhere at least once in your life. I don't hate the phrase-- I simply don't particularly like the negative connotation it's given by people. We treat suffering as something that should be done strictly within the privacy of our own heads, and if we burden others with our problems, we must have some sort of devious plan in mind. It all returns back to stigma. We are taught to struggle in silence. Society tells us that it's not normal or healthy to gravitate to somebody with similar circumstances, or anybody for that matter. We need to sugarcoat every aspect of our lives and pretend that they're perfect for the sake of others. We must paint pretty pictures without any flaws or imperfections. As if to say that during times of despair, reaching out to loved ones and sharing our feelings is done solely to bring other people down along with us. As if to say when we find people who have felt the same way we do, we're finally happy because we obviously must find pleasure in the suffering of others. Misery loves company, huh? So we all must be sadistic human beings who love just to watch people fall. We take joy in other people's sadness and only use it for our own personal gain, right? Because that's certainly what that phrase is telling me.

And you know what? Perhaps that phrase holds some truth to it. Misery does love company. We naturally seek out people with similar problems as us, but not for the wrong reasons. It's nice to not feel alone and know that others hurt along with you. Walking in the dark with someone is less lonely than walking alone. This life can get pretty lonely and scary when we walk it alone. We need other people to help illuminate the way and sometimes, those people are the ones who have dealt with the same pain. Although some people will genuinely try to listen, some situations are difficult to understand unless you've been there yourself. That's why we seek comfort in those who go through the same things as we do. They understand. They validate our feelings. We need to have those types of relationships. It's vital to our survival. That's how we get through things.That's one of, if not the, most important thing to have during hard times; people who truly understand. People need other people.

We aren't meant to walk this life alone. We need people to walk beside and say, "I know what you're going through, and this is how I got through it." It's normal to want that. We should want that. You're not a bad person for wanting to feel understood. Many people criticize others for hanging around individuals with similar issues as them and while that may end up doing more harm than good during some instances, that is not the case with all. People often underestimate the power of human empathy. That's why support groups exist. More often than not, we simply need somebody who understands-- sometimes even more so than advice. That could be more therapeutic than all the advice in the world. I don't understand how people could be shamed for choosing to be around individuals who understand them. That's how life should be.

So you're right; misery does love company-- and rightfully so.