By Anastasia Adaeze
“Problem” is the most loyal yet least welcomed companion of human existence. Like a shadow, it follows us through every phase of life; unpredictable, persistent, and often misunderstood. It may arrive as a financial setback, an emotional loss, or an internal struggle. Whatever its form, a problem unsettles our peace and forces us into deep personal reflection.
But what if the problem is not the enemy?
The Roots Beneath the Struggle
Think of a problem like a tree: it has roots, a trunk, branches, leaves, and fruits. You can trim the leaves or chop the branches, but unless you cut it at the roots, it will regrow. Problems are the same. If we treat only the surface, they return, bigger, harder, and more complex.
To solve effectively, we must look for the root cause, not just the symptoms. A poorly defined problem is a problem half-unsolved. A deeply understood one becomes a doorway to transformation.
The Many Faces of Problems
Problems wear different masks. They are not one-size-fits-all, yet their presence is universal. Consider their forms:
Social problems: peer pressure, addictions, harmful influences.
Unplanned problems: sudden illness, job loss, or unforeseen events.
Natural problems: genetic, biological, or environmental challenges.
Spiritual problems: conflicts of belief, moral dilemmas, battles of the soul.
Man-made problems: corruption, injustice, poor leadership.
Relationship problems: broken trust, unresolved wounds.
Accumulated problems: unpaid bills, neglected responsibilities, buried trauma.
Necessary problems: daily survival—food, shelter, education.
Health problems: physical or mental struggles.
Problems of lack: emotional or material insufficiency.
Financial problems: limited resources, stalled growth.
Each demands a different strategy, yet all point to one deeper truth: problems are life’s way of demanding growth.
Why Problems Matter
To live without problems is to be lifeless. Struggles, fears, and setbacks are not detours on the path, they are the path. Every solved problem refines us, and each new level of growth introduces new challenges, like a boss in a video game guarding the next stage.
There’s an ancient parable from Apocalypto: a man was given strength, sight, and wisdom by the animals, yet he still felt an unquenchable hunger. The animals told him this hunger was the mark of humanity; the endless drive to solve, to grow, to conquer. Problems, then, are not punishments. They are our curriculum.
The Psychology of Struggle
Psychologists define a problem as the gap between where we are and where we want to be. This gap creates discomfort, what scientists call cognitive dissonance that activates the brain’s problem-solving systems. The prefrontal cortex, the centre of reasoning and planning, kicks into gear.
But problem-solving is not only logical, it is deeply emotional. Anxiety, hope, fear, and determination all shape our experience. How we frame a problem matters:
See it as a threat, and stress overwhelms us.
See it as a challenge, and resilience takes over.
Solving problems even triggers dopamine, the brain’s reward chemical, creating motivation and satisfaction. In other words, every problem is both a test and a chance to rewire our thinking.
Practical Strategies for Problem-Solving
Believe in your ability. You are equal to the task.
Face it head-on. Avoidance grows the problem; confrontation shrinks it.
Define it clearly. Vague problems have vague solutions.
Seek support. Others can help you solve what you alone identify.
Value experience. Real-life engagement builds problem-solving far more than theory.
Reframe your mindset. Worry delays. Clarity and courage move forward.
Above all, remember: happiness is not the absence of problems, but the courage to face them.
Bigger Problems, Bigger Purpose
The ultimate test of personal growth is not how many problems we escape, but how many we face, overcome, and transform into purpose. Problems shape our character, sharpen our decisions, and prepare us for greater responsibility.
As the saying goes: “Big man, big problem.” Equally true: “Bigger man, bigger solutions.”
So, is the problem the point? In many ways, yes. Problems reveal who we are and who we can become. They are not interruptions but invitations. They are not punishments but teachers.
The next time life throws you into the deep, don’t curse the waves. Learn to swim strongly. The problem before you today may just be the soil where your next level takes root.
Choosing to live with a solution mindset is not a moment. It is a lifestyle.
