Everyone is guilty of making a mistake or two every once and a while, especially while you're young and just learning how to maneuver the world. Our own bad choices have the ability to both strengthen and break bonds, and they're what cause us to learn the best lessons by allowing us to set standards for ourselves.
However, too often we let one mistake define our entire self-perception, believing that our capability to succeed is based on our ability to minimize our own imperfections. When we live in a society where we're encouraged to live without flaws, we can be quick to forget just how simple starting over and taking responsibility for your past can be when things fall apart.
Whether you've done something by accident or on purpose to damage others or yourself, all that is needed to make the most out of the situation is to allow yourself to grow from it. This process starts by taking positive steps towards change, even if there are consequences involved that may not always benefit you.
I'm sure there will be many opportunities where it'll be easier to walk away from a situation than confront it, but honoring your weaker moments can allow you to be responsible and respectful by showing your commitment to changing the path a certain decision has lead you to follow. In the end, no matter how severe, a mistake doesn't have the ability to define you forever unless you give it enough power to do so.
Whenever I struggle with self-blame for anything I've done wrong, I just remind myself that there is good in me. I am a good person. This is not an opinion, but a fact that lets the world know I've tried my best to make it a better place, no matter how many mistakes falter in my plan.
This is especially true when the mistake is regarding friendships or relationships. It can often be hard for both people to understand where the other one is coming from because own hurt tends to blind us from the truth. That is why taking time to acknowledge your personal mistakes is necessary despite whether the other person chooses to forgive you by giving you a chance to clear your conscience.
After all, you're always going to be the villain in someone's story. It's up to you to make sure that it's never your own.
Besides, as awful as it sounds, hurting others is what gives us the empathy we need to learn from our mistakes and make a better effort to connect with people on a personal level.
Some have the strength to offer forgiveness your way, but there are many mistakes you'll make that will inevitably destroy important relationships in your life. While this may hurt, understand that these moments are important.
A bad judgment on your part may have been the only thing able to distance yourself from someone that would only hinder your growth even if you thought they were there to support you. Some of the most toxic relationships stem from the belief that someone has good intentions for you as a way to mask their selfish behavior.
Besides, anyone truly meant to be a part of your life will be understanding of your low moments as long as you do your part in trying to make things right again. These are the people you'll want to surround yourself with because they'll be willing to love you under any and all circumstances. In the end, it's not about who you discover by the end of your journey, but who was willing to help you along the way.
As long as you're able to recognize that a choice you made was negative and continue to bring kindness to others as a way to triumph against your own bad decisions, there will always be hope for your future along with the ability to strengthen your spirit through gaining wisdom for your future problems.
So continue making mistakes; the more you make, the easier it'll be to accept life's natural flow and become less critical of yourself when you eventually slip up. Once you're finally able to enjoy your life outside of your faults, you can start focusing on how to improve yourself and pick yourself back up without a second thought, even during your toughest challenges.
