The Hero’s Journey: Overcoming Life’s Obstacles

The Hero’s Journey

Have you ever thought, why me? You see others gliding through life—meeting their partner in high school, graduating from college, and finding a career they stick with for 30 years. Even the little things seem effortless for them—they walk gracefully without stumbling over curbs or bumping into walls, or they somehow manage to make breakfast without scattering chia seeds across a freshly cleaned floor. And then you wonder, what do they do with all that extra time from not having to tend to self-inflicted wounds or clean up unexpected messes?

I used to think this way too. I constantly compared myself to others, wishing life would come easier. I spent so much energy analyzing others’ lives from my own limited perspective, without really knowing what challenges they were facing. But at some point—though I can’t remember exactly when—I realized something important: life is not meant to be easy. I heard someone describe life as a hero’s journey, and it shifted my entire perspective.

If you look at any great story, the hero never has a simple path. Perseus didn’t stroll up to Medusa’s door, knock politely, and charm her into giving up her head over a glass of Sauvignon Blanc. No, he had to use the knowledge he’d gained over time, accept help from powerful benefactors (kind of like spirit guides, right?), and employ his wits to defeat her. He earned his victory through hard work and determination, and for that, he was honored by the gods, his story forever immortalized in the stars.

And think of Harry Potter. He didn’t just waltz into Hogwarts, find out about Voldemort, hop on his broom, and cast the Avada Kedavra. He had to struggle and grow over seven ginormous books. He was locked under the stairs, accosted by a house elf, and talking to snakes—and those were just experiences with his family and friends! His path was full of trials and hardships, but through those challenges, he became a hero, killed Voldemort landed his dream job and married his true love.

Moral of the Story: Stop comparing your life to others’. First, you don’t know what battles they’re fighting behind the scenes. Things are rarely as easy as they seem from the outside, and it’s not your job to judge. Your job is to live your life—to rise to every challenge, face every obstacle head on, and trust in the journey that God, the Universe and your higher self-have set for you.

Who said life is supposed to be easy anyway. How can you become the best version of yourself if nothing ever challenges you? Difficult is where we grow and evolve. So, change your perspective. You’re not living a hard life—you’re on a hero’s journey. Embrace it, learn from it, and get your growth on, baby!