Tragedy Doesn’t Change You — This Does

“Tragedy changes people.” 

We say this as if it’s automatic. As if pain equals growth.

It isn’t.

Some people go through hardship and become more grounded. Others become more cynical.

Some become wise. Others become bitter.

So let’s stop pretending that experience alone transforms people.

It’s not the event. It’s the response.

Two people face the same loss. One shuts down. One opens up.

Two people get rejected. One becomes defensive. The other becomes discerning.

It’s not what happened, it’s how they met it.

We glorify experience as the great teacher. But experience is neutral.

It only becomes transformational when you choose to reflect, reframe, and rise.

So no — tragedy doesn’t change you.

You change you.