Why Does Life Keep Repeating the Same Lesson?

I was flipping through some old journals the other day, expecting to get a nice little pat on the back for how far I’ve come.

But instead, the same old themes jumped out at me: trust, surrender, self-worth.

And I couldn’t help but think, "Seriously? I’m still working on this?"

After all the therapy, coaching, and spiritual practice—shouldn’t I be done with this by now?

Cue the frustration.

As I sank deeper into my disappointment, a quieter voice nudged its way through and gently reminded me:

"Growth happens in spirals."

Almost every spiritual tradition references the spiral, and for good reason. It’s the ultimate symbol of evolution and transformation, a reminder that real growth isn’t linear. We move through layers—each one bringing us closer to who we truly are and something greater.

But let’s be honest, it’s not always easy to accept.

Sometimes, it feels like I’m stuck in a loop, dizzy from circling the same lessons over and over again. But what I’ve come to realize is that revisiting these themes isn’t failure—it’s an invitation to see them from a new perspective.

Here’s what I mean:

1/ Same Themes, New Depth

At first, it feels like I’m stuck—spinning in the same old patterns. But when I zoom out, I see that I’m approaching these themes as a different person each time.

Take “surrender.” Years ago, surrender was just about surviving the stress—learning to stay calm when everything was chaotic. But now? It’s something bigger. It’s about trusting life’s flow and letting go of the need to control what’s coming next.

Instead of getting frustrated with myself and thinking, "Ugh, here we go again," I’m learning to see these moments as progress. I’m seeing things from a new perspective— and I’m ready for the next layer.

2/ Growth Isn’t a Destination

For the longest time, I thought growth was like a checklist—once you learn the lesson, you’re done. But that’s not how it works. Growth unfolds, layer by layer.

Take self-worth. It used to be about separating my value from my achievements or other people’s opinions. But lately, it’s shifted. Now, it’s about standing in my truth—without apologizing for it. Growth keeps nudging us to show up in ways we couldn’t before, asking us to stretch beyond our comfort zones.

There’s no finish line. And that’s okay. Because growth isn’t about arriving—it’s about evolving.

3/ Integration in All Areas of Life

The thing about spirals is that they touch every part of us—mind, body, heart, and spirit. A lesson I thought I’d mastered can show up again, but in a whole new context.

Take surrender again. It started as emotional—letting go in relationships and situations. But lately, it’s physical. I’ve been dealing with some injuries, and surrender now means trusting my body to heal in its own time, without forcing it.

The spiral invites us to integrate what we’ve learned, across every layer of our being.

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So if you find yourself revisiting the same themes, it doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’re ready to go deeper.

Instead of asking, "Why am I still here?" try asking, "What new wisdom is waiting for me this time?"

The truth is, these lessons aren’t holding you back. They’re pulling you forward—towards a richer, more integrated version of yourself.