Sometimes we do things we regret, things that are uncharacteristic of ourselves. It happens regularly for some, rarely for others. So you make a mistake. Relax. It's really okay. Own up to it and you'll learn something.
We've all done something we regret; something we wish that we could take back. Sometimes they're simple things and other times, it is something quite complex. I've learned there is usually no point in beating yourself up about it. Once you make a mistake, it is what you do with that mistake that really decides everything.
Whether it was two hours ago, two weeks ago, or two years ago we all can think of the mistakes we've made. I make mistakes all the time and I know that I will continue to make them. If you can own up to your mistake and see where you went wrong, you learn. You learn where you went wrong and while you may not be able to fix your mistake, you can try to prevent it from happening again. There are plenty of moments in which I made a mistake and I wished and in some cases still wish that I could rewind and get a do-over. Unfortunately, I can't. There are no such thing as do-overs and there aren't always second chances, but sometimes by failing on our one an only chance, we learn and mature.
You may have a lapse in judgment, you may hurt someone's feelings and lose their trust, you might disappoint yourself or someone else. It's bound to happen and we're not perfect. I hate using the phrase that "we're only human." I like to think of mistakes as a different form of learning. Through failure we can choose to ignore the results or we can learn from them. The only way you can grow into a better person is if you can take each experience you have and learn from it, including mistakes. I regret many things and I've beaten myself up with the "what if I didn't do this" and the "if I could just change things" mental game. It eats at you. You sit and you can't stop thinking about what a situation's outcome could have been had you "done the right thing," whatever that right thing was. What good does that really do? We can't take things back. We can't unsay things, we can't rewind and get that second opportunity that we sit around, wishing and waiting for. That's not how life works.
Spend less time doing those things and admit to yourself and others that you messed up. You made a mistake and if you are, that you're sorry for what you did. Learn from your mistake. Remind yourself that you're going to make more mistakes and that's okay. Also, know that sorry isn't always going to fix things. Sometimes, sorry doesn't work. Maybe the damage is done or the other person just doesn't accept your apology. You can't beat yourself up for that, at least you tried.
We all mess up sometimes, but we all don't accept that we make mistakes. That's what we need to do. Accept it, learn, and look toward the future. It's not easy to do this, I know that all too well. I remind myself daily that I'm going to make mistakes, but I refuse to let them define me. I'm not perfect and I never will be, but my mistakes don't have to highlight my imperfections. They can serve as a powerful tool that sculpts me into the person I want to be and that I am. I'm still learning and I'm still growing, with each success I have and with each mistake that I make.
