Have you ever heard the saying, “The best things happen when you least expect them”? When you desperately want something, wait for it, and hope for it, it often seems out of reach. Yet as soon as you let life flow naturally, incredible things start to unfold. Psychologists have delved into this phenomenon and identified four reasons why it happens.
The Role of Rest
Taking time to rest and shift focus allows the mind to think more clearly. Research by Mary Helen Immordino-Yang and her colleagues at the University of Southern California and MIT explains that rest is not laziness or a missed opportunity—it’s essential for cognitive development. Rest also helps lower stress levels, which, if unchecked, can lead to severe health problems.
When you stop obsessing over problems during a walk or downtime and instead focus on the beauty of the world around you, your mind has the freedom to process solutions more naturally. That mental clarity often opens doors to unexpected outcomes.
Letting Go of Worry
Fear and anxiety can cloud judgment and close us off from better opportunities. A 2014 study by the University of Toronto found that many people settle for unsuitable relationships not out of genuine connection but out of fear of being alone. These decisions are driven more by desperation than rational thought.
When we let go of fear, we start to see new possibilities. A calm and rational mind is better equipped to recognize and act on genuine opportunities that align with our needs and desires.
Releasing Control
The more we try to control everything, the more we hinder natural outcomes. Research published in 2018 on Psych Central links the need for constant control to factors such as low self-esteem, past trauma, the desire for safety, and a fear of uncertainty.
Negative emotions like anxiety can distort our perception of time. A week spent anxiously waiting for something can feel exponentially longer. Conversely, releasing the need for control and trusting the process often leads to unexpected, yet positive, resolutions.
Living in the Present
Focusing on the present moment rather than obsessing over the future is crucial. Relationship coach Kelly Fisher emphasizes that by engaging in activities that make you happy and healthy in the present, you create the conditions to attract amazing opportunities.
Dwelling on the future or worrying about what hasn’t yet happened pulls your energy away from the present. When you focus on the here and now, you make space for serendipitous events and transformative changes to occur.
Good things often happen when we stop forcing outcomes, release stress, and focus on living fully in the moment. By resting, letting go of worry, relinquishing control, and embracing the present, we align ourselves with the natural flow of life—opening the door to unexpected joys and successes.