Here’s why losing is winning

Sh*t Happens—But Creators Need Setbacks

15 Mar 2025

It’s been 9 months since I last wrote a blog. Wow.

Once upon a time, my newsletter was my favorite thing ever. Time would just fly when I wrote. My brain was firing, my writing was improving, and honestly—I felt like a creative machine.

But then? Life surprised me. Priorities changed. I got busy.

And the surprises didn’t stop. Just yesterday, I found out I tore my ACL. That means surgery. That means no football for a year.

And if you know me, you know how much I yap about football. That hurt.

But that’s life. Sh*t happens.

What matters is your ability to bounce back.

Here’s why setbacks are actually a blessing—especially for creatives.

1. Discomfort Forces Action

Ever felt stuck? Like your photos are starting to look the same, your creativity feels dry, and nothing you shoot feels good enough?

That’s the discomfort phase. It sucks. But it’s also the best thing that can happen to you.

📷 For me? It was the Maasai Mara. I’ve spent countless hours there, and after a while, it felt like I had seen it all. It became harder and harder to find fresh shots.

What did I do? I went to Malawi. That one trip reignited my creativity and gave me a fresh perspective. And just like that—Malawi became my next photo tour destination.

Discomfort → Reflection → Action.

Whenever you feel stuck, change something. A new location. A new style. A new challenge. Anything to shake things up.

2. Setbacks Build Insane Resilience

I love my career. It’s something people dream of, and I’m so grateful for it.

But damn, there have been moments where I questioned everything.

For example—everyone hypes up being a “business owner.” You’re your own boss, you set your own schedule, you live the dream.

But no one talks about the boring (and frustrating) parts.

Legal paperwork? Accounting? Figuring out taxes?

I never signed up for that headache.

But I had to figure it out. And you know what? Now I’m confident as hell that I could do it all over again if I had to.

That’s what setbacks do. They make you unshakable.

3. You Stop Giving a F* About the Wrong Things**

There was a time when missing a shot would destroy me.

I’d overthink it for days. “If only I had reacted a second faster… I'd have won an award for sure” It would mess with my confidence and make me doubt myself.

But over time, I learned to just let it go.

Now? I can go on an entire photo tour and not take a single image—and still feel completely fulfilled.

When I got my ACL diagnosis, I was weirdly calm. The 17-year-old me would’ve thought life was over. But setbacks change you. You stop sweating the small stuff.

Ask yourself: What’s one fear that’s holding you back? Imagine how much freer you’d feel if you let it go.

4. Setbacks = Fresh Ideas

You ever notice how the greatest creators are always a little different?

They don’t think like everyone else. They see the world from angles no one expects.

That’s because they’re in constant problem-solving mode.

📷 For me? That was Malawi. After months of feeling creatively drained, one trip flipped a switch in my brain.

Suddenly, I felt alive with ideas. That’s when I decided to finally start my company. It had been in my mind for years, but I kept waiting for the “perfect time.”

Spoiler: The perfect time doesn’t exist. Setbacks push you to make the moves you’ve been avoiding.

So if you’re feeling stuck, embrace yourself—because a fresh idea is on its way!

5. Setbacks Are a Chance to Reinvent Yourself

Whether it’s in your personal life or your photography, setbacks give you the perfect opportunity to hit reset.

Think about it—when you’re at your lowest, that’s when you have the absolute, highest motivation to change.

Feeling uninspired with your edits? Stop editing for a month. Burnt out on social media? Take a break and reset. Hating your compositions? Shoot something completely different.

I have realised that taking care of your physical health can go a long long way in all areas of your life.

Hit the gym, run, play, eat properly, sleep properly - and watch how your creative spark gets refueled.

Setbacks force you to evolve. The only question is—will you evolve for the better?

Final Thoughts: Use Setbacks as a Weapon

Let’s be real.

Your gear will fail when you need it most. Your dream trip will get canceled. You’ll get rejected from something you really wanted. You’ll face roadblocks you never saw coming.

But if you use setbacks the right way, they become the thing that makes you unstoppable.

So—what’s one setback that actually made you a better photographer? I’d genuinely love to hear your story

P.S:

I'm big on self-help, mindset, and such stuff. That's why I write about topics that go beyond photography - while still relating to every photographer.

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Until next time,

Dhir