Forget the Door—Look at the Window Instead

They say, "When one door closes, another one opens." It’s meant to be comforting—a promise that something better is just around the corner. But what if that next door doesn’t open? What if all you hear is silence, and all you see are walls?

That’s exactly where I found myself—not at the threshold of a new opportunity, but stuck in a hallway with no obvious way forward. For a long time, I stared at the closed door, waiting, hoping. And then one day, I stopped looking for another door. I turned my head—and noticed a window.

It wasn’t what I expected. It wasn’t where I thought the next step would be. But it was there all along, offering a different view, a new light, and maybe even a better way out.

When the Door of My Dream Closed

For me, the door that closed was a dream I had carried for years—studying at one of the most prestigious universities in the world: ETH in Switzerland. I had made it. I spent a year and a half there, investing my time, energy, and hopes into becoming someone I always thought I was meant to be.

But then everything changed.

I failed one of the most critical exams—twice. And with that, my path was no longer mine to follow. I couldn’t continue. I had to leave ETH without a diploma, without the academic closure I’d worked so hard for. I was in shock. It felt like the ground had disappeared beneath me.

What followed were six long months of searching. I sent my CV and documents to other universities, hoping to open another door, any door. But nothing worked. Every attempt led to silence, rejections, or paths that didn’t feel right.

I was stuck. Angry. Ashamed. Lost.

The Moment I Turned to the Window

And then, something shifted. It wasn’t a sudden revelation or a dramatic moment. It was quiet. I simply paused the constant search and looked around at what I already had.

I thought about my parents. I thought about my partner—the person who had stood beside me even when I felt unworthy. I realized I didn’t need to find another door to escape the pain. I needed to look at the window—at the life that was gently waiting outside, if I chose to notice it.

So I made the decision that surprised even me: I came home.

A New View, A Better Light

It turned out to be the best decision I could have made. Today, I work at a good company where I feel valued. I’m in a strong, loving relationship with my boyfriend. We’re building something real together—a future, a family. I even found space to write and share my thoughts, like I’m doing right now.

No, I didn’t walk through the door I had imagined. But through the window I chose instead, I saw something even more beautiful: a life that fits me—not the version I was chasing, but the one that makes me whole.

Conclusion: The Light Was Always There

If your door suddenly closes, don’t panic. Don’t waste all your energy banging on it, hoping it will open again. And don’t rush into searching for another just like it.

Instead—pause. Breathe. Look around.

Sometimes, the path you truly need isn’t behind another door. Sometimes, it’s quietly waiting outside the window—soft, unexpected, and full of light. It might not look like the dream you had, but it could be the life you were meant to live all along.

Trust the view. It might surprise you.