Have you ever done something so cringey that you wanted to crawl under the nearest table and live there forever? I have as well. But here’s the thing — those awkward, facepalm-inducing moments? They’re precious. Seriously. Mistakes are life’s way of saying, “Hey, you’re growing! Congrats!”

Think about it: nobody gets it right the first time. The first pancake is always weirdly shaped, and the first draft always needs work. But you can’t skip those steps! Every stumble is a clue, a lesson, a nudge in the right direction.

People often feel “behind” in their work or achievements in life, but it’s also important not to allow yourself to be upset for too long. Every failure is a step forward, not backward. Even I still find myself struggling with accepting that fact.

This is especially true when it comes to teenagers, who, in my opinion, are too hard on themselves and too worried about what is to come in the future. They’re constantly comparing themselves to others and feeling the weight of expectations — from school, from parents, and from society. It’s exhausting! But here’s a reminder: you’re not alone. Mistakes are a part of life. You don’t just wake up magically one day with all the knowledge in the world. It comes from experience, and with experience comes messing up as long as you always get back up on your feet.

Take Thomas Edison, for example — he didn’t just magically invent the light bulb. He failed so often that he had to flip the script, calling them “10,000 ways that didn’t work.” That’s the kind of energy we need. Mistakes aren’t dead ends; they’re detours, and sometimes, those detours take you somewhere far more remarkable than where you were headed.

Don’t be afraid to take the leap for a new decision, even though the word failure hangs above that door to new opportunities like a big, red glowing sign. Don’t be discouraged. You miss every shot you don’t take. The leap might feel scary, but what if it works out? And even if it doesn’t, what if that “failure” sets you up for something even better?

How will you know what to do if you never try? Do you think those living seemingly perfect lives haven’t tried and failed? Success is all about failure, and failure is all about learning.

Many people are often scared to do something until they see others do it. However, despite how many times others fail, people are still fearful of failure and all that surrounds it. It’s an interesting phenomenon. Why do we hold ourselves to standards of perfection when we know deep down that no one is perfect? 

Social media doesn’t help, either — all those highlight reels celebrating others’ success make it seem like everyone else has it figured out, but trust me, they’re just as messy as you are.

The idea of failure has this weird stigma around it, as though it’s something to avoid at all costs. But imagine if we changed how we thought about it. What if failure wasn’t this dark, looming shadow but instead a badge of honor? A sign that you’re trying. A signal that you’re out there, doing the thing, living your life. Because that’s what it really is. Every failure means you’re brave enough to try, and that’s something to celebrate.

Let’s take it one step further. Mistakes don’t just help you grow; they’re also a great equalizer. Everyone — and I mean everyone — messes up. Your favorite celebrity? Yup. That seemingly-perfect person whose Instagram page you stalk? Absolutely. Even your parents, who seem to have all the answers, figure things out as they go along. The truth is, we’re all winging it to some degree, and that’s kind of comforting, isn’t it? You’re not the only one making it up as you go.

And here’s another thing: mistakes are where the magic happens. Think about some of the greatest inventions or discoveries in history. Post-it Notes? A total accident. Penicillin? Discovered because someone left a petri dish out too long. Even chocolate chip cookies came to be because someone ran out of baking chocolate and improvised with chunks. These so-called “failures” ended up changing the world for the better. So maybe your mistake isn’t the end of the story. Maybe it’s just the beginning.

It’s also worth mentioning that failure builds resilience. When you mess up and bounce back, you’re proving to yourself that you can handle whatever life throws your way. And the more you do it, the stronger you get. Resilience is like a muscle; the more you flex it, the easier it becomes to keep going, even as you increase the weight.

For teenagers especially, this is a lesson that takes time to sink in. When you’re young, everything feels monumental. A bad grade, a fight with a friend, a missed opportunity — it all feels like the end of the world. But it’s not. In the grand scheme of things, those moments are just tiny blips on the radar. They’re not the whole story; they’re just a chapter.

One thing that can help reframe how we think about failure is to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. It’s not fun to mess up. It’s not fun to feel like you’re flailing around with no idea what you’re doing. But that discomfort is where the growth happens. It’s like working out — if it’s too easy, you’re not building strength. The same goes for life. If you’re not a little uncomfortable, you’re probably not pushing yourself enough.

That’s why it’s so important to change the way we talk to ourselves when things go wrong. Instead of harsh criticism, what if we practiced self-compassion? What if we celebrated our effort instead of fixating on the outcome? Imagine how much more confident you’d feel if, instead of saying, “Wow, I failed,” you said, “Wow, I’m learning,” however awkward you might feel.

So the next time you mess up, instead of beating yourself up about it, try to see it as an opportunity. Ask yourself: How can I use this experience to do better next time? And most importantly, how can I keep moving forward? That’s what matters most. Not perfection, not getting it right on the first try, but the courage to keep going, no matter what happens.

It’s also helpful to remember that everyone’s timeline is different. We’re all on our own paths, moving at our own pace. Just because someone else seems to be ahead doesn’t mean you’re behind, so cut yourself some slack. Celebrate your wins, no matter how small they might seem. And when you stumble, remember: it’s all part of the process.

In the end, life isn’t about avoiding mistakes; it’s about what you do with them. It’s about embracing the messiness and learning to find the beauty in it. Because let’s be real — life would be pretty boring if everything went perfectly all the time. The twists and turns, the ups and downs, the failures and triumphs— that’s what makes it interesting.

Let’s stop being so afraid of failure and start seeing it for what it really is: a stepping stone, a teacher, a chance to grow. Let’s celebrate our mistakes and the lessons they bring. Let’s take the pressure off ourselves to be perfect and just focus on being human. Because at the end of the day, that’s enough. You’re enough, mistakes and all.

And if you ever feel like you’re the only one who’s struggling, remember this: you’re not. We’re all in this together, figuring it out as we go. So let’s be kinder to ourselves and to each other and try to be more like Edison and his 10,000 tries.

Let’s stop being so afraid of failure and start seeing it for what it really is: a stepping stone, a teacher, a chance to grow.