I’ve always been a passionate food lover. Traveling to savor good food was one of my greatest joys. When life got tough, my favorite foods—coffee, biryani, samosas, potato wedges, chocolates, cakes, and ice cream—became my comfort and stress busters, helping me get through frustrating times.

But life had other plans. Over the past 7 or 8 years, I developed food intolerances—not just to one or two items, but to most of my favorite foods. Suddenly, I couldn’t enjoy what once brought me so much happiness. It was a huge shock. Even in my lowest moods, my usual stress busters were gone. I felt lost.

I held on to hope, believing that one day my body would heal, and I could enjoy my favorites again. Sometimes I gave in, eating forbidden foods and then paying the price with days of discomfort. I wasn’t ready to change my eating habits—I was just wishing for a cure. After seeing doctor after doctor, I became desperate for answers, but nothing improved.

Then I met a specialist—the last hope I had. But instead of a cure, he gave me a clear message: the only way forward was to accept that my body could no longer tolerate those foods and to avoid them completely. My hopes were shattered. I faced a tough reality: modify my diet or suffer the consequences. Slowly, I accepted it and shifted to eating what my body could handle.

Life often presents us with challenges and people who drain our energy and cause mental anguish. We endure, hoping things or people will change. But sometimes, they don’t. Acceptance is hard, especially when it means letting go of hope, but it’s often the only choice.

If you don’t adapt, you risk continued suffering. Change your attitude and approach to cope with your reality in a way that protects your physical and mental well-being, because sometimes, there’s simply no other way.

What are you resisting to accept, even though deep down you know it’s clearly not working?