Every Heartbreak Leads to Growth
By Joanna Vidal
Hello dear readers, and welcome back to my blog. In this blog, I want to talk about something that many of us go through at some point in life: breakups. And when I say “breakup,” I don’t just mean the end of a romantic relationship. A breakup can also mean walking away from a toxic friendship, a draining job, or anything that no longer serves your peace and growth.
Quick disclaimer: I’m not a love guru or a therapist. I’m just someone who’s experienced different kinds of heartbreaks, and somehow survived them. I want to share my journey with you, hoping that if you’re going through something similar, this post can offer you a bit of light, hope, and comfort.
The Breakups That Broke Me
I’ve experienced many kinds of breakups—not just in love, but in friendships and work too. And honestly, some of the deepest heartbreaks I’ve ever faced didn’t come from relationships, but from losing jobs that I truly valued. That kind of loss can shake your confidence in a very personal way.
My first job was very special for me. I was hired for a front office position at a hotel, and I was genuinely excited. But since the hotel wasn’t fully ready yet, they temporarily placed me as a sales executive. I accepted it with patience, hoping that one day I’d be moved to the role I had originally applied for.
After a few months, I finally got my front office post. I was proud of myself and determined to prove I deserved it. But behind the scenes, things weren’t so easy. Office politics, jealousy, and misunderstandings slowly crept in. Despite showing up every day and giving it my best, my contract was suddenly ended after just eight months. I was crushed. I had worked so hard, only to feel rejected and unappreciated.
Still trying to move on, I took a job at a lounge and lodging business. But this one came with its own emotional challenges. The work environment was toxic, and the owner treated the staff poorly. Even tour guides who frequented the place had warned me about the way the boss handled people. I didn’t listen at first, I thought maybe it would be different for me. But over time, I started to feel stuck and defeated.
And then life surprised me.
One day, while on my way to my first job to take my papers, I saw a familiar face, a former guest from the first hotel I worked at. He wasn’t from the city, but he frequently stayed there for business trips. We had built a good connection during his visits, as I always made sure to treat our guests with kindness and respect. What I didn’t know was that he was actually a close friend of the hotel owner, and he had a business in town.
When we started talking, he asked me how I’d been, and I shared a bit about my current job and the challenges I was facing. To my surprise, he offered me a position in his company. I didn’t expect it at all, but I said yes.
That opportunity turned out to be a turning point in my life. I worked in his company for a long time, and it gave me the confidence and stability I needed, until eventually, a new and even bigger door opened: the chance to work abroad.
What I’ve Learned:
Your kindness doesn’t go unnoticed. Even when others don’t appreciate you, someone else is watching, and they might be the key to your next chapter.
Toxic work environments don’t define your value. If you’re not respected where you are, it’s not where you’re meant to stay.
Never underestimate the power of being good to people. Sometimes, your biggest opportunities come from the people you least expect.
When one door closes, another really does open, often when you least expect it.
So if you’re in a difficult job right now or dealing with career setbacks, I want to tell you: don’t lose hope. The path may not be easy, but it’s leading somewhere better. Keep showing up. Keep believing. Your next opportunity could be just one conversation away.
Betrayal in the Workplace
Another kind of heartbreak I experienced was being betrayed by people I thought were friends. In one job, I tried to be kind and friendly with everyone. I thought I was building genuine relationships. But soon, I discovered people were talking behind my back and writing hurtful notes, one even left a threatening message in our logbook.
At first, I tried to ignore it. But when people around me said the message was about me, I felt unsafe. That’s when I realized: sometimes, God removes you from a place not to punish you, but to protect you. And looking back now, I’m thankful I left.
A Heart That Loved the Wrong Person
The hardest breakup I ever went through wasn’t with a job or a friend, it was with someone I truly loved.
We were young partners, just two people trying to figure things out in a relationship filled with ups and downs. Like many couples, we had good moments, but there were also many painful ones. I was mistreated, emotionally and even physically hurt, but I stayed in that relationship. I held on because I believed love was enough. I kept making excuses for him, hoping things would get better. Even my best friend tried to pull me away, but I couldn’t see clearly back then. I was too deep in it.
Looking back now, I realize maybe he loved me in his own way, but love alone doesn’t make a relationship work. There has to be respect, mutual effort, kindness, and I was the only one trying to keep things better. I even started lying to people who genuinely cared about me, just to protect someone who wasn’t treating me right.
At my lowest point, when I felt completely lost and confused, I turned to God. I went to church and prayed with all my heart:
“Lord, if this relationship isn’t meant for me, please help me get out from this.”
And shortly after, an opportunity came. An opportunity which completely unexpected but perfectly timed. It felt like the door I had been asking for. The day before I left, part of me still hoped he would show up. But he didn’t. That silence was my answer.
That’s when I finally walked away.
But healing wasn’t instant. It took me years, maybe five, even eight, to fully recover myself. The pain stayed with me for a long time. He had once given me a couple ring, a symbol of a future we dreamed of but never had. I keept it with me but never wear it and after all those years, when we saw each other again, I returned those rings. I could see the sadness in his eyes, and in that moment, I knew: even though we once loved each other, we were never right for each other.
Now he’s married and has children. And as much as that chapter hurt, I’m finally at peace with how it ended.
I share this not to dwell on the past, but to remind anyone reading this:
You can survive heartbreak. Even if it takes time. Even if it breaks you for a while. One day, you will wake up lighter. One day, you’ll let go, not out of anger, but because you’re finally free.
What I’ve Learned About Moving Forward
Here’s what I’ve realized about breakups—and I hope these thoughts help you too:
Healing takes time. You can’t rush it, and that’s okay.
Being sensitive is not a weakness. It simply means you feel deeply, and that’s a gift.
God removes people for a reason. It may hurt, but sometimes it’s His way of protecting you.
You’re not alone. Even if the world feels silent, someone understands—maybe even someone reading this blog right now.
Don't be afraid of change.
When you’ve decided to end a chapter, whether it’s a job, a friendship, or a relationship, it’s important to give yourself distance. A new environment won’t erase the pain instantly, but it can help you breathe, reset, and begin again.
Cutting off communication may seem harsh, but sometimes it’s necessary. Don’t look back. Focus on what helps you grow.
Remember: Moving on doesn’t mean forgetting, it means choosing yourself and your peace.
Every heartbreak has something to teach you, if you’re willing to listen. Use those lessons not to hurt others, but to become wiser and stronger.
Let go of the ghosts of your past. Better people, better opportunities, and better days are waiting for you.
Final Thoughts
Breakups hurt. Whether it’s a toxic job, a fake friend, or a painful relationship, letting go is never easy. But please remember this: moving on doesn’t mean forgetting, it means choosing yourself. It means learning, growing, and opening your heart again, but this time, stronger and wiser.
If you’re going through a breakup right now, I want you to know: it’s okay to feel sad. But don’t stay there. Your healing is just as important as your pain.
There’s always light at the end of the tunnel. Sometimes, you just need to walk through the darkness first.
With love and strength,
Joanna
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