What does "if it didn't work out, it wasn't meant to be" mean to you?

[Anonymous]

To me it sounds being very passive, not really giving an effort, not trying to make them work out. That when things do happen, they happen somewhat easily. What does it mean to you?

[knowmeyourself]

No, it is not passive. Let me explain.

The first part says "If it didn't work out" which means that you did your best to make it happen. It doesn't mean that you walked away from the first problem you encountered. The term "work out" means that you were positive and did put all your mind and heart in it. The second part says "it weren't meant to be" which signifies being smart and accepting. In a relationship, when things aren't working out, it's healthy to acknowledge that it's time to leave rather than holding to something that is not going to happen. For example; girls staying in abusive relationships...they don't want to let go even though it is for the best. So, admitting that it should end and walking away, after you did your best, is out of wisdom intelligence and acceptance.

[Asker]

Yeah you got the meaning of the terms spot on, but most of the time what comes to mind about the acknowledging is "this person could have done more, instead they're giving up". I guess I dont' understand the line between doing more when possible and doing more but it's a waste a time.

[knowmeyourself]

Exactly. Well, you do the best you can but once you acknowledge that it is hurting you or isn't going to work, you should leave.

[Anonymous]

It means that if we both made some attempt but it didn't work out, it wasn't the right person.

I agree that you can't be too passive, but there is such thing as trying too hard either.

Say I go on a date with a guy and I like him but he doesn't like me. I can't make him like me if he doesn't, so I would say "Okay, wasn't mean to be because it didn't work out"

[DishLady]

The thing is, even if you put in extensive effort to make something work, if it wasn't meant to be, it won't work in the long run.

[shacodraco]

i think its just an excuse for failure most of the time lol

[PoeticNinja]

One of the two people f***ed up.

[Anonymous]

depends on what you mean by "didn't work out"...

[Asker]

As in having a relationship with that person didn't/couldn't happen.

[Opinion Owner]

If it DIDN'T happen, that doesn't mean it wasn't meant to be. If it COULDN'T happen, it would depend on why it couldn't happen.. like, if it COULDN'T happen because she said to you, "it's not going to happen", then saying "it wasn't meant to be" would make sense but if it couldn't happen because of something silly it wouldn't hold much weight.