Negative experiences in our life can make us question whether the right outcome was achieved. When life doesn’t go as planned, we end up being filled with regret and seek to find closure within ourselves. But what we don’t realise is, maybe the outcome was for the best.
Sometimes when you’re going through a tough time, you might hear your loved ones say to you: “Don’t worry, everything happens for a reason”. What exactly does that saying mean?
Well, for me, it means a lot.
When I was going through the toughest time in my life, I believed that it would never get better. I believed that I would always feel as unhappy as I did back then. I believed my life would never turn around. My beliefs turned out to be absolutely untrue.
Six years on, I feel the happiest that I have ever felt; I have a husband that would do anything for me, 3 children who make me proud to be a mother, and a writing career that is taking off. I never thought I could ever be happy again.
That period in my life was an absolute struggle; a time when I felt useless and unworthy of being loved. But I believe it happened because it was for the best. I never knew how strong I was until I went through what I did. Now I know that I deserve so much more than I once thought.
And for me, “everything happens for a reason” isn’t some cheesy sentiment; it’s not just an excuse for why things happen the way that they do. I think it’s an attitude; a way of life. Every experience in our life happens in order to test us, challenge us, make us a stronger person. And I think we need to accept that life will not always turn out the way that we want it to, but within time, we might realise it was the right thing for us.
Looking back on my life, there have been so many experiences that have challenged me. When I got my heart broken, when my first University preference was declined, when I had my first child at 18, and when I lost trust in many of my loved ones.
But if those things hadn’t happened; I would’ve been with the wrong person, studying the wrong course, working for a job that didn’t make me happy, not have realised my dream to become a writer, or known the degree to which I could love someone.
I take comfort in knowing that the little things in life may occur by chance, but the important things are part of a bigger picture. I try my best to move forward from the past and accept that everything happens for a reason.
Because no matter what we do, we cannot change the past. The only thing we can change is the future.
About The Author
Thuy Yau is a writer in Perth, Australia. She wants to make a positive difference in the world. She is the author of the eBook, 'How 5 Experiences Turned My Life Around'. She juggles her life as a busy mother of 3, with her incredible passion for writing.


Hi there! My name is Thuy Yau and I'm a passionate writer. Author of 'How 5 Experiences Turned My Life Around'. I blog about personal development. I am a Columnist for Aussie Mum Network & Mums Lounge, and a Contributor to NYC Talking. I am also a Freelance Writer for Magic Ink Media. I have won contests run by an Oprah Columnist, & been published on About.com. I hope my writing inspires you to lead a better life.

Hi Thuy it’s a beautiful post. Yes it is hard to see how things can ever feel fantastic and rich when you are going through difficult things where there has been great loss involved. I’m somewhere in that space now and it’s difficult to make sense of it and to reconcile that I am ultimately responsible for what happened, despite other players being involved. I can’t see the reason why it happened beyond me not bring true to myself, and perhaps that is the reason, and its very painful … but I do know that time heals all things so one day I hope to look back on all this and feel like u do now x
Hi there,
I definitely agree, it is hard to see the positives in life when there are so many negatives. But I think we just need to believe that things will get better and that we are strong enough to get through it. I hope whatever you are experiencing at the moment, works out for you in the end
Thuy