You know, I’ve always had a lot of friends and a big circle. Somehow, I’ve always been the kind of person—the kind of energy—that attracts people… and their problems. They open up to me. They share their hearts. They seek advice. I’m not saying this to boast about being a great problem solver. I’m simply trying to say that I attract people’s genuine emotions.
Whether it’s guilt, fear, confusion, or even joy—people feel safe enough to open their hearts in front of me. And somehow, I’ve always ended up being that person: the listener, the emotional mirror, the quiet comfort.
Just a few days ago, I met a friend after a long time. She shared something deeply personal. She had immigrated from her home country in the hope of a better future, but now she feels stuck—in a job that drains her, in a life that doesn’t make sense, in a body that feels tired before its time.
She told me, “Sometimes I feel like giving up, and I’m not even 24. It feels like I’ve already lived a lifetime.”
She wasn’t looking for solutions. She was simply speaking her truth. Then she paused, looked at me, and said something I’ll never forget:
“I think you’re stuck the same way.”
Who was I to tell her that maybe… I was stuck even more?
But it’s never a competition. And it shouldn’t be.
So, I said the only thing that’s ever truly stayed with me:
“When you learn the lesson life is trying to teach you, the situation never repeats itself.”
She looked at me, confused. “But how do I know this is a lesson?”
And I asked her gently, “Is what you’re feeling repetitive? Does it keep coming back?”
She nodded yes.
“That means there’s something you’re meant to learn. And once you fully understand it—not just with your mind, but with your soul—you’ll move past it.”
She asked again, “But how do you know that?”
And I said, “Because I was stuck in the same cycle. I tried a million different ways to get out, and the only thing that ever worked was truly learning what life was trying to show me. And once I did, I never had to go through it again.”
I’m not trying to be a life guru. I’m not claiming to be wise beyond my years. I’m 24 myself.
But if someone out there is stuck the way I was, I want them to know they’re not alone.
I’m not someone who learns just by observing. I learn by going through it.
Sometimes, all it takes is hearing something—a sentence, a word—to trigger your healing.
Sometimes, seeing someone live through it helps you do the same.
Maybe this is that for you.
The truth is, we’re stuck in an endless loop, running a race against no one.
Everyone wants you to hustle—even when you just want to breathe.
Everyone glorifies burnout, glorifies overworking, glorifies struggling like it’s some badge of honor.
But there’s no glory in breaking yourself to build a life.
I hate when people tell me, “The 20s are for struggling.”
No, they’re not.
The 20s are for growing. Financially. Emotionally. Mentally. Physically. Spiritually.
Yes, you’ll go through phases that are hard. But don’t confuse life with struggle.
Being stuck isn’t a rite of passage. It’s a signal.
It’s life asking you to pause and learn.
I’ve heard so many people say, “This is just the way life is. You’ll get used to it.”
Please—don’t.
Some people are beyond help, yes—but not everyone.
And those people who are beyond help will try to drag you down with them.
Don’t let them pull you into their puddle. Don’t get your spirit dirty trying to rescue someone who doesn’t want to be saved.
Stop normalizing the hustle that leaves you hollow.
Stop confusing survival with strength.
Struggle, when purposeful, is beautiful.
Hard work, when meaningful, is powerful.
But struggle for the sake of survival—just to exist—is not living.
If someone ever tells you they feel stuck, don’t respond with,
“That’s life.”
Don’t say,
“Everyone goes through this in their 20s.”
Instead, ask them,
“What do you think life is trying to teach you right now?”
Perspective can be the most powerful thing you give someone.
But first, give it to yourself.
Because sometimes, one sentence is all it takes to change your story.
One shift in perspective is all it takes to change your life.
Life is not about surviving.
It’s about thriving.
And if you’ve forgotten what that feels like… maybe this is your reminder.
