The Transformative Power of Wishing Your Enemy Well

Wishing Well — Even When It’s Hard

It sounds a bit wild at first—wishing your enemy well. Who does that, right? But over time, I’ve come to realise that this strange little idea has more power than we give it credit for. Not for them—for us.

Been There…

I’ve had my share of people who weren’t exactly cheering for me. Some made their opinions obvious. At first, it stung. The bitterness stuck around longer than I care to admit. I’d carry that tension into other parts of life, and suddenly, everything just felt heavier. Even good moments were clouded.

Then Something Shifted

One random evening, while flipping through a self-help book, a line hit me: “Wish them well.” Just like that. Short. Simple. And honestly? Annoying. Why should I? But the more I sat with it, the more I realised—it’s not about them. It’s about setting me free.

I Gave It a Shot

I started small. A quiet “I hope they’re okay” in my head. No grand gestures. Just intention. Slowly, something changed. That weight I carried? It got lighter. My focus came back. And honestly, I started feeling better—not because they changed, but because I did.

What I Didn’t Expect

Over time, the energy shifted. Conversations got less tense. We’ll never be best friends, but that edge? It softened. It was no longer about who won—it was about being okay with who I am and letting go of what no longer served me.

So Why Share This?

Because maybe you’re there too—stuck with the anger, waiting for an apology that might never come. And if that’s the case, I just want to say: try wishing them well. Not for them. For you. You might just be surprised at how freeing it is.

Kindness—especially when it’s hardest—isn’t weakness. It’s growth. And peace? That’s the real win.