How To Let Your Failures Strengthen You
Start writing a post
Sports

How To Let Your Failures Strengthen You

Don't strive for perfection, just be you

6
How To Let Your Failures Strengthen You

My whole life, I’ve always had to work a little harder than everyone else. I was always the kid who never shared her test grade because she didn’t want to look stupid in front of her friends. I was always the kid that would give up right away when things got too tough. This happened all throughout my school years and has followed me into adulthood. It has even seeped into different jobs I’ve had. Some tasks, homework, and lessons don’t click for me right away. I’ve always had to work extra hard for that good test grade or to actually understand the lesson when it’s a piece of cake for my peers. Growing up, this has really taken a toll on my self-esteem.

My freshman and sophomore years of high school, I tried out for the cheer team. After not making it the first year, I told myself I’d come back stronger for the second year, and I did. I felt confident with myself and was telling myself that I could possibly make the team. I worked really hard following up to tryouts, and once again my hard work didn’t pay off. I didn’t end up making it and I was so disappointed with myself. I let it bother me for a while and kept telling myself that I could have done better and I could have worked harder for that spot. But, no matter how hard I worked, it never seemed to be enough.

After that year, I considered trying out for the tennis team, track team, volleyball team, and the lacrosse team. I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. I was ultimately afraid that I would fail again. This left me with a lot of regret. I like to be involved and outgoing, but my fear of failure always hindered me from having fun. I never played a sport in high school just because of my fear of failure.

I stopped believing in myself. To this day, at 21 years old, I still feel inadequate. When I make one little mistake, I beat myself up for it and dwell on that one imperfection. Perfection is not in my DNA and I just have to work a little harder and longer than everyone else.

This is what frustrated me the most. When I see things come easy to other people, I think to myself, “Wow, that must be nice to be good at everything.” My little sister is that way. Anything she tries she’s immediately a natural at. So when she tells me she doesn’t want to try something because she is afraid, I tell her that she can do anything she wants to do only if she applies herself. I don’t want her to be like me, afraid of failure and the opinions of others. Through my experiences, failure is just a sign that you tried. Failure is getting knocked down, but it’s up to you to get back up. I’ve been knocked down numerous times and my only failure is staying down. You have to get back up, that’s the only way you’ll be successful.

Trying a new hobby or taking a hard test is scary and we all have that fear of not doing well, but fear of failure only makes the situation worse. I view failure now as a challenge and decided that I will not let it run my life. Fail once, get up and try again; it’s not the end of the world, you get another chance. And even if you don’t get another chance, you still tried and that’s what’s most important. My mom always tells me just to do my best. As long as you do your best, you know that you tried, and sometimes that's all you need to do, is just try.

"Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game."- Babe Ruth

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

51646
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

33153
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

956115
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

181038
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments