Regression. What is it, really? Beyond the sterile definitions and negative connotations, regression is more like a pit stop on the highway of progress. A pause, a recalibration, maybe even an inconvenient flat tire that demands repair before we can keep moving forward. It’s not failure. It’s not the end of the road. Instead, it’s part of the process, an inevitable feature of the winding, uneven terrain that leads us to our goals.

Progress, contrary to what we might wish, will never follow a perfectly straight, upward line. Life doesn’t work that way, and neither does the pursuit of any meaningful goal. The key lies in the big picture—are we moving in the right general direction? Are we aiming upwards, even if the path includes valleys and detours? Progress, real and enduring, is messy. And that’s okay.

Take weight loss as an example. One day, the scale might deliver good news—a new low weigh-in. You feel elated, validated, hopeful. The next day, however, it may tick up a pound or two, leaving you confused or disheartened. What happened? Did you mess up? Are you backtracking? The answer, more often than not, is neither. Weight fluctuations are a natural part of the process. Factors like stress, water retention, sodium intake, meal timing, and even hormones influence daily numbers on the scale. What truly matters is the overall trend—if the average is moving downward, you’re still progressing toward your goal, regardless of those day-to-day blips.

But weight loss is just one metaphor for a universal truth. Regression touches every corner of life—our careers, our relationships, our creative pursuits, our personal growth. When we aim for something difficult, we inevitably encounter setbacks. Some are within our control; most are not. These moments of regression are not signs of failure but tests of resilience, asking us to pause, reassess, and recommit.

Think of those bad days—the ones where nothing seems to go right. Or those stretches where your progress feels stagnant, like you’re moving in circles rather than forward. These aren’t roadblocks; they’re milestones in disguise. They teach us patience, humility, and the art of persistence. The bad days are just as important as the good ones. Together, they create the dynamic rhythm of growth.

It’s easy to get lost in the noise of regression, to let setbacks cloud the accomplishments we’ve already achieved. We’re often our harshest critics, quick to dismiss how far we’ve come. But in those moments of doubt, take a step back and look at the journey in its entirety. The small victories, the lessons learned, the obstacles you’ve already overcome—these are proof of your progress.

Above all, trust the process. Trust that the universe unfolds exactly as it should, even when the path seems chaotic or unclear. Regression is not a punishment or a failure. It’s a recalibration, a signal that we’re human and that meaningful growth takes time. So, keep going. Embrace the dips as part of the climb. You are exactly where you need to be.

Amor fati—love your fate. Even the setbacks, even the struggles. They, too, are part of the beautiful, unpredictable journey forward.