Viewing Challenges as Catalysts for Growth

When Life Pushes You Forward

I recently found myself reflecting on a moment from years ago—one that, at the time, felt like a failure but ultimately became one of the most pivotal shifts in my life. I had just started a new job after more than 15 years in corporate, academic, and nonprofit spaces, only to be let go shortly afterward. It was humbling and disorienting, not just because I lost a job, but because it triggered every hidden judgment I had ever held about people who found themselves in that same situation.

Suddenly, I was the one on the receiving end of those uncomfortable thoughts—Was it really not their fault? Had they somehow brought it on themselves?—and now I had to confront them within myself. But here’s the thing: that uncomfortable moment ended up being the exact push I needed. What looked like rejection was actually redirection. That launched me into working for myself (which I love).

The Stories We Tell Shape Our Reality

You’ve probably heard the saying perception is reality. While not technically an old adage, it holds weight because of how energy works—what we focus on, we make room for. If I believe everything is unraveling, my energy reinforces that narrative (this is known as the Pygmalion effect—the aka self-fulfilling prophecy). But if I choose to see a situation as a catalyst—something that’s moving me toward growth—then I shift my experience of it.

That’s the heart of what I’ve come to understand as assuming positive intent. It doesn’t mean denying pain or pretending everything is fine when it isn’t. It means choosing to view events, even hard ones, through the lens of possibility. It’s a mindset that asks, What if this is happening for me, not to me?

Filtering Through the Right Lens

When I was let go from that job, I didn’t know it at the time, but I was nearing autistic burnout. I had been pushing too hard for too long—working full time, running side hustles, chasing productivity (in other words, operating from force rather than flow). My identity had become wrapped up in what I accomplished. That moment of being forced to stop was the beginning of a new way of being. I didn’t leap into self-employment because I was brave; I was simply too exhausted to keep doing what I had been doing. But in the stillness, I found clarity—and eventually, alignment with what I truly wanted.

In hindsight, I’m grateful for that hard moment, because it gave me something I hadn’t been able to give myself: permission to rest, to reset, and to choose a different path.

A Deeper Truth About Relationships

This lens of positive intent also helped me reframe a painful experience with someone who walked away when I began collecting crystals. At the time, their judgment hurt deeply. But now, I can see it differently: it was actually a gift. If our values had diverged so much, staying connected would have only bred tension. Their departure created space for what aligned more fully with where I was heading. That reframing allowed me to move from heartbreak to peace.

These moments reminded me that we always have a choice in how we interpret what happens. We don’t always get to choose the event, but we do get to choose the story we tell about it. And that story becomes the container for our healing—or our stagnation.

Actionable Insights

• Pause and ask, “What’s in this for me?” When something hard happens, instead of jumping straight into pain or blame, invite a moment of reflection. If the universe is supporting your growth, what might this situation be trying to show you?
• Shift from reactivity to curiosity. Let go of assumptions about others’ motives or your own perceived failures. Explore the possibility that this moment could be opening something rather than closing it.
• Respect your own sphere of influence. You are responsible for your thoughts, reactions, and energy—not how others perceive or judge you. Trying to control their narrative can keep you from owning your own.
• Let perceived rejection become redirection. If something or someone is removed from your path, ask what space it’s making room for. Often, what feels like a loss is actually a clearing for alignment.

This post is part of my broader exploration of intentional living. You can deepen the journey by revisiting the reminder to assume positive intent and exploring how healthy boundaries can support your growth in these moments.

This post was inspired by a video I shared online. I’ve included it below if you’d like to take a peek.