Failure. It's the infamous F word that sprouts each time you don't live up to your own expectations. You fall short. You have failed to actually see the things you expected from yourself. It overtakes you and you're tired — so tired. The plans you once had get lost in this life, the one you've tried so hard to balance.

Failure (fālyər): lack of success.

We are human and we fall short of expectation all the time. Life isn't easy and it won't always go the way we want. We expect one thing and the complete opposite tends to happen.

I can't even tell you the number of times I used to beat myself up every time I failed. Maybe it was my desire for perfection that led me to believe I didn't have what it takes to be successful. But the more these whispers crept into my mind, the truer they would become. Failure became what seemed like a never-ending cycle.

Your failures don't own you, and that's one thing I know for sure. My failures don't define me. My character will not fall victim to my shortcomings. They don't determine what's in my heart, in my mind, or my ability to do something.

I'm a firm believer that everything in life happens for a reason. Each time we fail, we've only learned. Sometimes we might fall short simply because of our own lack of effort; still, we at least learn what we can do to improve. As humans, we are constantly learning from experience and we evolve based on what works for us.

You're either going to be your own worst enemy or your own biggest fan. Don't live up to the expectations that others may have for you. Live up to your own (realistic) expectations and even if these realities aren't met, forgive yourself and move on.

Remind yourself that you are capable. Your own future is waiting, so do what you need to enjoy in love and positivity.