We all make mistakes. It's human nature. It's part of growth. It's something that happens to everyone. But most people are afraid to make mistakes, and even more afraid to own up to them. We're so afraid of what others will think. That they'll judge us, or worse, be mad at us. And some mistakes are definitely worse than others. However, we all make our share of regular mistakes and really big mistakes.
But, I guess the thing about mistakes is that we all have them. They aren't blemishes like society has made us think. They aren't failures. They're things that have to happen for success to happen. They have to happen for us to grow. And they might make us feel bad in the moment. I know I've made plenty of mistakes in my time, from finances to how I've handled situations or spoke to people. But the idea that we have to be perfect is unrealistic and detrimental to our mental health.
If you look at a mistake as a blemish. As something that should have never happened. Are you beating yourself up after? Are you telling yourself that you aren't worth shit? And just negative self-talking in general? You shouldn't be.
This idea of being perfect is completely unachievable. I think the idea of even striving for perfect is crazy. Don't get me wrong, I completely believe that growth is important. But I also believe that without mistakes, we can't even dream to grow. There doesn't need to be a punishment for mistakes. We do not need to punish ourselves. We need to use it as a perception changer, and grow from it. Use every mistake, small or large to learn. And become better. Your worth, does not change if you make a mistake You are not less, despite what society says.
I also think that we have to hold each other accountable for our mistakes. There has to be a safe space where people can own up to the things they've done wrong without major consequences. We jump on each other so frequently about failures and not living up to expectations, did we even see their point of view? Did we stop to try and understand what happened? Just as mistakes help people grow, so does compassion and understanding. We can be those safe places for people. We can be their safety nets, whether it's emotionally or even physically. Everyone goes through hard times, and it's sometimes hard to remember what it was like when we were in a hard time and be there for others in their mistakes. And big mistakes need the most compassion. Those incapable of love, need love the most. Those how act irrationally, need someone to say that this is a safe place, you don't have to be defensive. You don't have to be scared. I will listen. And I will help however I can.
I think growth comes on your own and with supportive people. And the people who love you despite your mistakes and failures are the people you want to hold onto. Sometimes mistakes take work, and mistakes taking fixing. I think people would be more willing to open up and own up if they were met with compassion. I think meeting mistakes of others with boundaries is also important because if you don't then you can get walked all over, and that's no good either. We have to care about both sides, and remember that sometimes what's best for us isn't what's best for the others involved and that can be challenging to remember.
However, the point of us this is just to remember mistakes are human. We all suck sometimes. We all have moments when we don't make the best decisions or do our best work. We all hurt people sometimes. It's not ideal. It hurts. But you are human. And your mistakes don't make you less human. You are still brilliant. A shining star that everyone can see. So hold your head up and remember these feelings. Grow from it, and make sure you meet other peoples mistakes the way you would want them to meet yours.
Till Next Time,
C