Sometimes you are not being punished; you are being redirected away from what would have punished you later.

Not every hard turn is a punishment. Some of it is redirection away from something that would have cost you far more further down, and the redirection feels harsh because you cannot see what it is steering you clear of. The relief, when it comes, tends to come late.

When a path closes painfully, resist reading it as a verdict on your worth. Ask what is now off the table and whether any part of you is quietly relieved. That small relief is often the first real information you get.