We don’t like to think about the times we’ve messed up. As teenagers, and now young adults, we’ve had a lot of them. At the time in our lives where we feel the most lost and the most free all at once, we like to hold on to the good. We emphasize and underline all the good memories because we want them to stand out, we want them to indicate that everything’s going to be alright. We want to give some sort of impression that we have our lives together.
Sometimes I wish I’d never bombed that class, or gotten into a stupid fight with my best friend, or disappointed my parents over something. I’ve had my moments where I swore I’d give anything to take them back.
Then I remembered that every choice I’ve ever made, good and bad, has led me to the life I have right now. Despite stress from school or other life difficulties, I’m happy. I’m grateful for everything and everyone in my life. I’m healthy, I’m young, and I have so much more ahead of me. I have a lot of time to do everything I’ve always wanted, and I have plenty of time to make more mistakes.
Personally, I no longer believe in trying to denounce any part of yourself. You are here, made of all your successes and failures; every smile, every tear, every regret and every ounce of pride. I would not be who I am today without everything I’ve ever screwed up.
I’m not saying you have to like your mistakes, but be thankful for them. Be thankful for every mistake you’ve ever made and how it’s forced you to grow. Be thankful that some mistakes take a few repeats to learn the lesson. Be thankful that some burn you so bad that you learn immediately.
Whether or not your life is going well right now, take all of your mistakes in stride. Make peace with them and learn from them. Even if you aren’t happy, even if all you feel you do is make mistakes — keep making them. Screw up royally. Reflect on it. Own it. Let it lead you to the next steps in life.
We get so many choices in life; not all of them will be the right ones. I saw a quote recently that said, “Someday you will be grateful that things didn’t work out the way you once wanted them to.” Life wouldn’t be half the journey it is if we did everything right without screwing up. There’d be no excitement, variables, or surprises. That’s not a life worth living. Moreover, that’s not a life at all. I had no idea I’d be where I am today, and I’m grateful I saw none of it coming.
So be thankful for your mistakes. Be grateful for everything they bring you and everywhere they take you. The good, the bad, and the truly unexpected. They’ll make for some great stories someday.
