Gibbs-White appeared set to join Spurs before talks with Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis saw the 25-year-old reject the move and sign a new contract.
"Every footballer has personal goals and personal ambitions that they want to achieve," Gibbs-White told talkSPORT.
"Mine is winning trophies, playing in the World Cup, playing in the Euros, playing Champions League football, just to be able to reach the maximum that I'm able to reach.
"Obviously in the summer, everybody's seen what was going on and whatever. But away from that, it was a really difficult period for me and my fiancée.
"Having my second child, but there were a few complications with all of that. I believed in being professional, showing up every day and letting everything else take care of what it needs to do. I'm a firm believer that everything happens for a reason.
"I'm delighted with my decision, more than happy. I think my fiancée is even more happy because she didn't get to carry on with all the stress."