We all have a vision for how life is supposed to go. The career we’ll build, the relationships we’ll have, the timeline that makes sense in our heads. But what happens when life doesn’t go according to plan? What happens when the vision you held so tightly starts slipping through your fingers?
At some point, we all face a moment where we realize the life we planned isn’t necessarily the life we’re meant to live. Maybe a job opportunity falls through. Maybe a relationship doesn’t turn out the way you thought it would. Maybe you wake up one day and realize that the things you worked so hard for don’t actually make you happy.
Letting go of the life you planned isn’t about giving up—it’s about making space for something better, something you couldn’t have imagined because you were too focused on what was “supposed” to happen.
I’ve struggled with this myself. I had plans, clear-cut ideas of how things should unfold, and when life threw me curveballs, I resisted. I fought for control, for certainty. But in hindsight, the things that fell apart were making way for something greater. The job I didn’t get pushed me toward a career path that suits me better. The relationship that ended led me to a deeper understanding of myself. The unexpected changes, the detours, the "setbacks"—they weren’t failures. They were invitations to something different, something more aligned with who I am now.
The truth is, we outgrow old versions of ourselves. The life you planned five or ten years ago was built on who you were then—not who you are today. And that’s okay. The real magic happens when we let go of outdated expectations and allow ourselves to evolve.
So if you’re feeling stuck, if life isn’t unfolding the way you thought it would, ask yourself: What if this isn’t a setback? What if it’s a redirection toward something better?
Resources to Help You Embrace Change:
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The Wisdom of Insecurity by Alan Watts – A profound look at why embracing uncertainty can bring more peace and fulfillment.
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Everything Happens for a Reason (And Other Lies I’ve Loved) by Kate Bowler – A raw and honest reflection on dealing with life’s unexpected turns.
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Rising Strong by Brené Brown – A powerful guide on how to get back up after life doesn’t go as planned.
What’s something in your life that turned out better than you expected—once you let go of the plan?