This past long weekend, I traveled to Winnipeg for a girls’ getaway with two of my best friends from medical school. We ate incredible food, wandered through lakeside villages, and explored farmers’ markets and artisanal shops. Winnipeg surprised me—it was vibrant, delicious, and full of life.
But one afternoon stands out above all the rest, because it left me with a lesson I won’t soon forget.
Lost in the Maze
On one of the hottest days—over 32°C—we decided to tackle a corn maze. Ten hectares of twists, turns, and hidden “Manitoba musicians” to find. At first, it was fun—laughter, curiosity, and a sense of adventure.
But the deeper we went, the more obstacles we hit. Dead ends. Wrong turns. Endless backtracking. With every step, the heat pressed harder, and frustration mounted.
Eventually, we’d had enough. Instead of forcing ourselves to find the official exit, we cut to the perimeter and walked our way out. And here’s the surprising part: none of us felt like we had failed.
Choosing Wisely Isn’t Quitting
That moment reminded me that not every obstacle needs to be fought head-on. Sometimes the healthiest, wisest move is to step aside.
I’ve spent much of my life proving I can push through, but in that moment I realized there’s strength in pivoting. By choosing to leave the maze, we didn’t lose—we gained. We found a breathtaking sunflower field, and we saved our energy for the spa evening we’d been looking forward to.
Sometimes pivoting gives you more of what you truly want.
Obstacles Are Part of Growth
On the flight home, I reflected on how much the maze resembled life—and especially how it connects to healing your relationship with food and body.
The path is full of dead ends, wrong turns, and setbacks. It can feel like failure. But those obstacles are part of the process. They don’t mean you’re on the wrong path—they mean you’re growing.
The key is knowing when perseverance matters, and when compassionately stepping aside is the right move.
The Takeaway
When you meet an obstacle, ask yourself: Is this a wall I need to push through, or is this an invitation to pivot?
Neither choice is failure. Both are growth. Both require wisdom.
And sometimes, the sunflower fields are waiting just beyond the pivot.
Ready for Your Next Step?
Learning when to push and when to pivot is part of building body trust—a skill that changes everything about how you relate to food, your body, and yourself.
If you’re ready to explore this work more deeply, come check out my programs at Wayza Health. Whether through my self-paced course, community membership, or personalized coaching, you’ll find support, guidance, and encouragement for your journey.
