How do you hold on when the process feels like it’s breaking you? Not just frustrating. Not just inconvenient. But soul-crushing. Exhausting. A cycle of waiting, sacrificing, and holding on to hope that feels thinner every single day. Everyone throws around the phrase like it’s some kind of universal cheat code. Just trust the process. They say it with the same ease as stay positive or everything happens for a reason, as if those words alone are supposed to undo the fear clawing at your throat. But what about the days when the process feels like drowning? When all you have is uncertainty – no evidence, no results, no clear signs that things are actually moving forward? What about when you feel like a failure, stuck in limbo, forced to wait for a breakthrough that never comes?
Nobody talks about those nights. The ones where you’re curled up on the floor, exhausted. The ones where every ounce of faith you have left is slipping through your fingers, and all you can do is ask: Did I make a mistake? Did I choose wrong? Is this even worth it? They don’t tell you about the moments where you can barely recognize yourself anymore. When the struggle stops feeling like a challenge and starts feeling like a punishment. And yet, somehow, you’re expected to keep going. You’re expected to wake up, push forward, and keep believing in something that offers you nothing in return – at least not right now.
And that’s the part that stings the most. It’s not just the struggle itself. It’s the not knowing. It’s waking up every day and forcing yourself to keep moving despite having no idea when things will actually change. It’s the isolation of feeling like you’re the only one fighting a war with no end in sight. People who haven’t been through it don’t understand. They throw around well-meaning advice, tell you to be patient, tell you that good things take time. But they don’t know what it’s like to live in the in-between – to exist in a space where nothing is certain, and all you can do is hope you’re not wasting your time.
- The Wake-Up Call
- Acknowledge the Pain. Stop Sugarcoating the Struggle.
- The Balance: Blind Faith vs. Self-Trust
- Finding the Strength to Keep Moving (Even When It Feels Pointless)
- What Trusting the Process Actually Looks Like (It’s Not What You Think)
- The Final Truth: Trusting the Process Means Trusting Yourself First
The Wake-Up Call
But let’s be real for a second. How are you supposed to trust the process if you don’t even trust yourself?
That’s the part no one likes to say out loud. Because it’s not just the universe we doubt. It’s us. It’s our choices. Our judgment. Our ability to actually make something of this mess. People love to say, Things will work out. But what if you don’t believe in yourself enough to make that happen? What if every decision you’ve ever made feels like it’s led to dead ends and disappointment? What if you don’t even know what you’re doing anymore?
Trusting the process is not just about trusting that things will work out. It’s about trusting that you will figure it out even if they don’t. And that is a terrifying thing to accept. Because deep down, we all want to believe that something bigger than us is in control. We want to believe that if we do everything right, we will be rewarded. But life doesn’t work like that. There is no guarantee. No promise that all this suffering will lead to something extraordinary. No assurance that you won’t wake up five years from now feeling just as lost as you do today.
So the real question isn’t, How do I trust the process? It’s How do I trust myself enough to survive the process?
Let’s get one thing straight. We don’t just want growth. We want assurance. We want a sign, a guarantee, a whisper from the universe that this pain isn’t pointless. That every breakdown, every moment of suffering, every sacrifice is actually leading somewhere worth it. We don’t just want to believe that things will work out… we want proof that they will. But here’s the truth that stings: There are no guarantees.
No step-by-step instructions. No neon signs that say, This way to your dream life. No way to know if the risk you’re taking today will pay off five years from now or if it will just be another lesson you never asked for. And that kind of uncertainty? It’s brutal. It makes you want to quit. It makes you want to shrink. It makes you second-guess every choice, every sacrifice, every single moment where you decided to keep going instead of walking away. Because what if you were wrong? What if all of this is just wasted effort?
But let me ask you this. What if it isn’t? What if the very thing that feels like it’s breaking you is actually molding you into the kind of person who cannot be broken? What if this entire process (the suffering, the waiting, the uncertainty) is not a punishment but a test of whether or not you are truly ready for what you’ve been asking for?
And what if the only way to pass that test is to stop waiting for proof and start showing up like the person who deserves the life you want?
Because at the end of the day, the process is hell. But it’s also necessary. And the only way out is through.
Acknowledge the Pain. Stop Sugarcoating the Struggle.
“Just be patient.” But for how long? A few weeks? A year? A decade? How do you keep holding on when every day feels like an uphill battle with no end in sight? When patience starts to feel less like a virtue and more like slow, drawn-out suffering?
“Everything happens for a reason.” Really? Then what is the reason for this? What is the universe trying to teach you through rejection, through loss, through doors slamming shut no matter how hard you knock? Is there some grand lesson hidden in the nights you spend staring at the ceiling, wondering if you are wasting your life?
“You are exactly where you need to be.” Then why does it feel like you are falling behind? Why does it feel like you are running full speed on a treadmill while everyone else is moving forward?
People love saying these things like they hold some deep, cosmic wisdom. But when you are in the thick of it, when you are exhausted and desperate for a breakthrough, those words do not bring relief. They do not pay the bills. They do not erase the weight of uncertainty sitting on your chest.
They sound nice in theory, but in reality? They feel like salt in an open wound. Because they dismiss the truth of what you are going through. They make it seem like struggling is just a misunderstanding. Like if you just changed your perspective, you would suddenly feel at peace.
But that is not how struggle works. That is not how pain works. And it is time to start saying that out loud.
Stop Romanticizing Struggle. Start Acknowledging Reality.
There is a dangerous lie woven into the way people talk about success and personal growth. It is the idea that suffering is just part of the story. That if you are struggling, it means you are on the right track.
But let’s be real. Sometimes, struggle is just struggle. Sometimes, pain does not lead to a breakthrough. Sometimes, you are not “being tested” or “preparing for something greater.” Sometimes, you are just stuck in a cycle that is not working, no matter how much faith you put in it.
And yet, people keep pushing the same empty phrases. They keep handing out motivational one-liners like band-aids for deep wounds.
“Think positive.” As if optimism alone can erase the exhaustion of barely making ends meet.
“Work harder.” As if burnout is just a lack of effort.
“Trust the universe.” As if surrendering to fate will somehow rewrite reality.
These ideas are not just unhelpful. They can be dangerous. Because they shift the blame onto you. If you are struggling, it is because you are not thinking the right thoughts. If you are failing, it is because you are not working hard enough. If you are stuck, it is because you are not trusting enough.
And that is not the truth. The truth is that real struggle cannot be fixed with positive thinking, blind hustle, or blind faith. It has to be faced head-on.
Trusting the process does not mean pretending your suffering is not real. It does not mean convincing yourself that every setback is part of some grand cosmic design.
It means looking at the reality of where you are. It means acknowledging the days when you feel broken, lost, and like you have nothing left to give. It means understanding that pain is not always a sign of progress. Sometimes, it is just pain. And you are allowed to say that.
But here is the part most people miss.
Even when it hurts. Even when it feels impossible. Even when you are tired of waiting for proof that all of this is leading somewhere… you still have a choice.
You can let the pain define you. Or you can learn to hold it without letting it consume you.
Because the truth is, struggle does not guarantee success. But giving up guarantees failure.
So what are you going to do? Stay trapped in frustration, waiting for the universe to give you a sign? Or start figuring out what you can do to break the cycle?
The Balance: Blind Faith vs. Self-Trust
There are two extremes when it comes to trusting the process. On one side, there is blind faith – the belief that things will naturally fall into place as long as you hold on and believe. On the other, there is absolute self-trust… the mindset that if you do not take full control, everything will collapse.
Both seem like solutions, but they often lead to stagnation or burnout.
Blind faith convinces people to wait for something external to change their lives. They become passive, hoping that life will hand them opportunities without taking intentional action. They tell themselves that the right moment will come, that the universe will provide, that everything will happen when it is meant to. This kind of thinking can be comforting, but it also keeps people stuck. Nothing changes because they are not actively making it change.
Rigid self-trust creates the opposite problem. People try to force results, overanalyze every decision, and carry the burden of their entire future alone. They believe that if they stop hustling for even a moment, everything will fall apart. Instead of trusting that some things unfold in their own time, they push, control, and overwork until they are mentally and emotionally drained. Instead of moving forward with clarity, they become consumed by anxiety, second-guessing every step.
Neither approach creates real peace or progress. One leaves people floating aimlessly, waiting for something to happen. The other leaves people drowning in overthinking, unable to rest or surrender.
Why People Get Stuck
Trusting the process is not about choosing between faith and effort. It is about knowing when to take action and when to let go. Some things require discipline and persistence. Others require patience and surrender. The ability to tell the difference is what makes all the difference.
Most people struggle with this balance because they do not have the right perspective, and more importantly, they do not have the right support system. Trusting the process is not meant to be done in isolation. It is not just an internal battle between fear and belief… it is also about the environment people create for themselves.
People who only rely on blind faith often surround themselves with voices that reinforce waiting instead of acting. They absorb messages that tell them to manifest harder, to believe more deeply, without recognizing the moments where they need to take responsibility for their own direction. They confuse patience with inaction, mistaking stillness for progress.
People who rely only on their own control often reject outside perspectives, convinced that they must handle everything alone. They do not allow themselves to lean on anyone, to ask for guidance, or to accept that sometimes things unfold in ways they cannot predict. Their tunnel vision creates unnecessary suffering because they refuse to trust anything beyond their own plans.
True trust is built in motion. It is strengthened by making choices, learning from them, and allowing both faith and effort to shape the path forward. It is about recognizing that no one achieves anything alone. Having people who offer wisdom, perspective, and support changes everything. The right guidance provides clarity when uncertainty clouds judgment. The right conversations shift thinking when self-doubt creeps in.
Trust is not just about personal belief. It is also about the environment that belief is nurtured in. Those who create spaces for both faith and action are the ones who move forward, not by waiting for life to happen and not by forcing everything into place, but by understanding that trust is an ongoing practice – one that requires both surrender and strength.
Finding the Strength to Keep Moving (Even When It Feels Pointless)
Sometimes, it is not just about motivation. It is about survival. When you are drained, when your circumstances feel impossible, when your resources are stretched thin and there is no safety net to catch you, the idea of “trusting the process” can feel like an insult.
There is no denying that some people start with more advantages. Some have generational wealth, connections, or the freedom to take risks without fear of losing everything. Others are fighting just to keep their heads above water, juggling multiple jobs, supporting family, or dealing with mental and physical exhaustion that never seems to end.
This is the part that rarely gets talked about. The reality is that resilience is not just a mindset – it is a privilege that not everyone can afford. But that does not mean there is no way forward. It just means the path is going to look different for everyone. And for those who have no choice but to push through, finding the strength to keep going is not about blind optimism. It is about strategy, self-preservation, and making moves that create real, tangible change.
Reframing the Process
People are taught to expect progress to be linear. Work hard, stay consistent, and things will naturally fall into place. But in reality, life does not work that way. Progress is messy. It is full of loops, setbacks, and unexpected roadblocks that make it feel like you are going nowhere.
The hardest part is the middle – the stretch where you have already put in the effort but have not yet seen the results. This is where most people walk away. Not because they were not good enough, but because they convinced themselves that if things were meant to work out, they would have already.
But just because you cannot see the movement does not mean nothing is happening. Sometimes, progress is slow. Sometimes, it happens in ways that are not obvious at first. And sometimes, the real growth is in learning how to keep showing up even when it feels pointless.
The Wake-Up Call
It is easy to look for external signs that you are on the right path. People want reassurance. They want proof that their sacrifices are worth it. They want some kind of confirmation that they are not wasting their time.
But waiting for a sign is just another way of waiting for permission. And if you keep looking for outside validation before taking the next step, you will always feel stuck.
What if the only proof you need is the fact that you are still here? That you have not quit? That even when you doubted yourself, even when everything in you wanted to stop, you still found a way to keep going?
The way you frame your situation determines how you move forward.
Instead of asking, “How much longer do I have to endure this?” shift the question to “What is my next best move?” The first keeps you focused on what is out of your control. The second puts the power back in your hands.
Instead of saying, “I am stuck,” remind yourself, “I am in the part where most people quit.” That small shift changes everything. You are not failing. You are standing in the moment that separates those who walk away from those who push through.
And if you are still here, still trying, still refusing to give up – then you have already proven you are not like most people.
What Trusting the Process Actually Looks Like (It’s Not What You Think)
Trusting the process is often misunderstood. People assume it means either waiting for life to magically work out or forcing everything into place through sheer willpower. Neither of these approaches lead to real progress. The truth is more balanced, more grounded, and, most importantly, more achievable – no matter where you are starting from.
What It’s NOT:
- Sitting around, hoping for signs and miracles while making no real moves.
- Pushing yourself past exhaustion, thinking that suffering equals success.
- Fighting every challenge as if struggle alone is proof of progress.
What It IS:
- Taking the next best step, even when the path is unclear.
- Honoring your emotions without letting them control your choices.
- Trusting yourself enough to move forward without having every answer in place.
This is not about privilege or being in an ideal situation. It is about shifting how you respond to what you have right now. For some, the next best step might be applying for a new job, launching a project, or making a bold investment. For others, it might be something as fundamental as finding stable ground, securing resources, or even taking a moment to breathe before trying again.
The idea of “trusting the process” needs to work for everyone, not just those who already have financial security or unlimited options. Here is what that can look like in real-life scenarios:
- The person who keeps starting over: If you have had to start from scratch multiple times, it is not a sign of failure – it is proof that you have resilience. But at some point, progress requires commitment. Instead of looking for the perfect time, plan, or opportunity, focus on consistency. Small, imperfect steps compound over time.
- The person waiting for a “sign” before making a move: If you feel stuck, waiting for clarity before taking action, remind yourself that clarity often comes from movement. If you are not sure where to go next, start with the smallest, lowest-risk step. Even a slight shift in direction can open new doors.
- The person who is burned out: If you are constantly exhausted, barely holding things together, it is time to redefine what success means for you. Progress does not always mean working harder. Sometimes, it means changing strategies, setting boundaries, or prioritizing your well-being so you have the energy to keep going.
Trusting the process does not mean putting faith in some vague idea of success. It means trusting that your actions, no matter how small, will add up. It means knowing that even setbacks serve a purpose. It means understanding that survival is still progress.
If your reality is tough, if your options are limited, if you feel like you are constantly playing catch-up – trusting the process does not mean pretending it is easy. It means choosing to move forward in the way that is possible for you right now. And that is enough.
The Final Truth: Trusting the Process Means Trusting Yourself First
Doubt will always be part of the journey. No matter how much progress you make, there will be moments when the fear creeps in, when the uncertainty feels louder than any signs of success.
- What if I fail? You might. But failure is not the end – just proof that you tried. And trying again is always an option.
- What if this isn’t the right path? Then you will adjust, pivot, and figure it out as you go. No one gets everything right on the first try.
- What if I never get there? The only guarantee is that stopping now makes that fear a reality. Moving forward, even slowly, keeps possibility alive.
The truth that most people miss? The process is not some force outside of you, something distant or mysterious that you have to blindly follow. You are the process. The path unfolds as you keep moving, keep choosing, keep believing; especially when nothing makes sense.
It was never about trusting some vague idea of destiny. It was always about trusting yourself to navigate whatever comes next.
“Trust the process” means nothing if you do not first trust the person walking it.
If you found this piece insightful, consider supporting my work – every contribution helps fuel more in-depth stories, reflections, and meaningful content. Support here!
