There are moments in life that feel like everything is happening at once—decisions about careers, relationships, and identity all seem to converge, leaving you in a whirlwind of uncertainty. These periods can feel overwhelming, but what if they were part of something bigger? These moments could be your canon events.
In stories, a canon event is a defining moment—something crucial to the plot that transforms the character. These events may be challenging or painful, but they’re necessary for growth. Similarly, the tough, confusing times in early adulthood are your personal canon events, shaping who you are and guiding where you’re headed.
Navigating Early Adulthood: Living in Your Childhood Home
Imagine being an adult but still living in your parents' house, in the same childhood bedroom you grew up in. On one hand, you might feel grateful for the safety and familiarity. But on the other, there’s often a growing sense of frustration or even shame. You’re trying to figure out your own identity as an adult, yet you're surrounded by the remnants of your past—posters from high school, old trophies, and reminders of who you were, not who you are trying to become.
This situation can be incredibly challenging. You may feel stuck, like you're not moving forward in life. Society tells us we should have our own place by a certain age, but reality often looks different. Financial pressures, unfinished career paths, or personal setbacks might keep you anchored at home longer than you expected. These experiences can make you question where you're headed and whether you're doing enough.
But here’s the thing: living at home doesn’t mean you’re failing. It’s a canon event—a critical part of your story. It may not be glamorous, but it’s teaching you resilience, patience, and how to deal with the discomfort of not having everything figured out yet. It’s shaping your future self, even if it doesn’t feel like it in the moment.
Turning Setbacks into Stepping Stones
Being in a place where you feel stuck—whether it's living at home or not being where you thought you'd be by now—forces you to reflect on what really matters to you. Maybe it’s time to rethink your goals or make peace with where you are. These moments, uncomfortable as they are, can push you to clarify what you want and help you take steps in a direction that feels more aligned with your values.
I’ve worked with people who felt stuck at home longer than expected, and their feelings were often the same—frustration mixed with uncertainty. But in time, they found that those moments were pivotal for reshaping their mindset and exploring what they really wanted out of life. These periods, as frustrating as they seem, eventually became opportunities for growth and discovery.
It’s easy to compare yourself to others who seem further ahead, but everyone’s path is different. Your canon events are unique to you, and they’re shaping who you are becoming. By embracing these moments rather than resisting them, you can start to see how they’re contributing to your growth.
Reframing Life's Challenges: How to See Your Canon Event
When you start to view life's challenges—like living at home longer than expected—as canon events, you realize they’re not setbacks; they’re opportunities for growth. Life isn’t happening to you; it’s happening for you. That stuck feeling, that uncertainty, and even the frustration of being in a place that no longer feels right—they’re all part of your journey. They’re helping you reflect, recalibrate, and move forward, even if the progress seems slow.
It’s important to remember that this perspective shift isn’t about forcing positivity or dismissing the real difficulty of your situation. Your feelings of frustration or disappointment are valid, and they deserve space. Reframing a challenge as part of your personal growth doesn’t mean those feelings are any less important—it just allows room for hope and resilience alongside them.
It’s okay not to have all the answers right now. This stage of life is about making mistakes, figuring out your next steps, and realizing that it’s okay to take your time. Living at home doesn’t define your entire future, but how you respond to this canon event will shape the next chapter of your story.
Embracing Your Canon Event and Moving Forward
Instead of seeing this as a failure or something to be embarrassed about, try to view it as part of your process. You’re learning patience, resourcefulness, and how to navigate the complexities of early adulthood. These skills will serve you long after this chapter ends.
Next Steps
If you're navigating your own canon events and feeling stuck, remember that you're not alone. Talking through these moments with a therapist can provide clarity and help you find the next steps forward. Therapy offers a supportive space to reflect on your experiences, make sense of your challenges, and work toward personal growth.
At Lenora: Art Therapy and Counseling, I work with young adults to help them turn these defining moments into opportunities for transformation. If you're interested in exploring how therapy can support you during this time, visit www.lenoratherapy.com to learn more or schedule a session.
Take a Moment to Reflect
Is there a challenge you’re facing right now that could be part of your own canon event? How might shifting your perspective on it impact the way you navigate this moment in your life?
About Attiya Awadallah, LCAT, ATR-BC, LPAT
Attiya Awadallah is a licensed psychotherapist and creative arts therapist specializing in helping young adults navigate anxiety, depression, and life transitions. With over 10 years of experience, she provides a compassionate, evidence-based approach tailored to each client’s unique needs. Attiya is committed to empowering individuals to find resilience, purpose, and self-confidence in challenging times. Learn more about her practice at Lenora: Art Therapy and Counseling.
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