“My experience has been that work is almost the best way to pull oneself out of the depths.”
- October 11, 1884 – November 7, 1962
- American
- First Lady of the United States, Diplomat, Human Rights Advocate, Chair of the UN Human Rights Commission
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Quote
“My experience has been that work is almost the best way to pull oneself out of the depths.”
Explanation
In this quote, Eleanor Roosevelt offers a personal truth about the restorative power of work during difficult times. She refers to “the depths”—emotional lows such as grief, despair, or depression—and asserts that immersing oneself in purposeful activity can be a powerful form of recovery. Work, in this context, is not just employment, but any meaningful engagement that provides structure, focus, and a sense of contribution.
Roosevelt’s own life was marked by emotional and personal challenges, including loss, betrayal, and public pressure. Instead of retreating inward, she turned outward—channeling pain into action through advocacy, writing, and humanitarian work. Her statement reflects this lived wisdom: that action helps counteract helplessness, and that doing something useful can reawaken a sense of agency and hope.
Today, this insight resonates for those navigating mental health struggles, personal crises, or periods of uncertainty. While rest and reflection are vital, Roosevelt reminds us that movement—mental, physical, or emotional—can lift us when we feel stuck. Work, done with intention, becomes not just a task but a path back to meaning and stability.
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