“ISSUES”

Life has a funny way of putting us face-to-face with our own “issues.” From self-doubt to fear, relationship struggles to career setbacks, these challenges shape us, often in ways we don’t fully understand until we’re deep in reflection. Sometimes, when I face an issue, I just want it to disappear. But what if, instead of hiding from them, I started seeing these issues as part of a bigger, transformational journey?

Perhaps here’s the truth: every single person has issues. They’re what make us real, complex, and human. Some people’s issues are hidden under layers of confidence; others wear them like armor, openly. But whatever the case, we all have our stories of struggle. And just as I’ve wrestled with mine, I’d like to share a bit about that journey and the ways I’ve learned to view issues not as obstacles, but as essential teachers.

Chapter 1: The Weight of Issues

When I was younger, I thought that life would eventually straighten itself out. I’d look at the adults around me, the people I considered successful or happy, and assume they had solved their problems. In my eyes, they were issue-free. I thought, “One day, I’ll figure it all out, and my issues will disappear.”

Of course, the reality was different. As I grew older, life’s responsibilities and pressures mounted, and I realized that issues didn’t vanish with time; they just evolved. The self-consciousness I had as a teenager transformed into self-doubt as I tried to carve out a career. The anxiety I felt about friendships became fears about relationships, commitment, and the future. Perhaps issues weren’t going away; they were just taking on new shapes, reflecting my journey through life.

It was humbling and, at times, discouraging. I remember feeling like I was carrying a weight that only grew heavier with time. “Why can’t I just be at peace?” I’d ask myself, wondering if I was somehow missing a crucial life lesson. That frustration was overwhelming, and I felt stuck in a loop of struggle without resolution.

Chapter 2: Flipping the Script on Issues

One day, during a particularly low moment, a thought came to me: What if issues aren’t meant to be obstacles? What if they’re guides? I began to realize that every issue I faced had something to teach me, even if the lesson wasn’t immediately clear.

I read somewhere that issues reveal where our deepest vulnerabilities lie. They show us the places that need healing, growth, and acceptance. This perspective was new to me. For so long, I had seen my issues as flaws, things to fix or hide. But what if they were actually indicators of where I needed to invest more love and patience?

Taking this approach, I began to look at my issues in a new light. Instead of asking, “How do I get rid of this?” I started asking, “What can I learn from this?” This change in perspective didn’t make my issues disappear overnight, but it did make them feel more manageable. I no longer saw them as signs of failure but as opportunities for growth.

Chapter 3: Learning from Real-Life Issues

One of the most impactful realizations I had was that issues tend to repeat themselves until we learn their lesson. For instance, I had a pattern of undervaluing myself at work. No matter how many accomplishments or positive feedback I received, there was a lingering feeling that I wasn’t good enough. It took multiple job changes, countless late nights, and a few breakdowns for me to realize that this wasn’t an issue I could solve by working harder or switching environments.

Instead, I needed to go inward and ask myself why I felt the need to prove my worth. This was my issue, and only I could resolve it. I started journaling, reflecting on my past, and eventually working with a therapist to understand the root of my self-doubt. It wasn’t an easy process, and there were days when it felt like nothing was changing. But slowly, the power of that issue began to lessen as I acknowledged and understood it.

Chapter 4: Finding Strength in Vulnerability

One of the greatest things I learned through my journey with issues was that there’s strength in vulnerability. It’s tempting to hide our issues, to pretend they don’t exist, especially in a world that often celebrates perfection. But when I started sharing my struggles with friends, I realized I wasn’t alone. In fact, the people I admired most had their own, deeply personal issues, often similar to mine. Perhaps we all felt like we were carrying hidden weights, thinking that no one else would understand.

Opening up created a powerful sense of connection and relief. The more I embraced my issues, the more compassion I had for myself and for others. It became clear that the very things I once saw as flaws were actually what made me, and all of us, resilient. This vulnerability was a strength, and each time I shared a piece of my journey, I felt a bit lighter.

Chapter 5: Transforming Issues into Purpose

Now, as I continue to face new challenges, I don’t view issues as something to “fix.” Instead, I see them as part of a life-long process of self-discovery. Every issue is a piece of my story, and I get to decide what that story will be. I’ve stopped striving for a perfect, issue-free life because I know that each struggle brings its own wisdom.

I’ve come to believe that our issues don’t hold us back—they propel us forward. They’re invitations to grow, stretch, and step into a more authentic version of ourselves. So if you’re facing an issue right now, whether it’s a personal struggle, a relationship hurdle, or a professional setback, remember: this issue is your guide. Listen to it. Learn from it. Let it be the fuel that drives you forward.

Embrace the Journey, Embrace Your Issues

In the end, issues are part of being human. They’re reminders that we’re here to grow, to learn, and to connect with others who are on the same journey. By embracing our issues instead of running from them, we gain wisdom, resilience, and a deeper understanding of ourselves.

So the next time you face an issue, don’t ask, “Why is this happening to me?” Instead, ask, “What is this trying to teach me?” Embrace it, lean into it, and allow it to shape you. After all, our issues are not signs of weakness; they’re the very things that make us beautifully, profoundly human.

And if there’s one thing I’ve learned from my own journey, it’s that every issue carries within it the seeds of our greatest growth. Embrace them. Perhaps, just maybe, you’ll find that the transformation you seek has been waiting all along on the other side.