Do you know people who try to manufacture victory from defeat?

For instance, do you know someone who was angling at a vertical promotion and when they got passed over they say they are glad they didn’t get the promotion because they would have had to work too much overtime and missed their kids events, or they really wanted to be accepted to a certain college and upon getting the rejection letter, say they are happy they didn’t get accepted because they would have had to move too far from their aging parents and friends, or similar happenings where once they could not get what they wanted they act as if they are glad they did not get it or wanted it as much as they said?