Growing up, I often felt like I was walking on a tightrope, trying hard to balance what others wanted from me with my own big fear of not doing well. I was always worried that if I made a mistake, all the hard work I’d put in would be for nothing.
I was surrounded by people who only seemed to like me when I did things perfectly. If I messed up, I thought they wouldn't care about me anymore. It made me feel like I wasn't good enough for them to be proud of me. That if I didn't win, I deserve nothing from them, even just a simple gesture of appreciation.
I used to believe that success meant winning all the time. The people I care about often only focus on the end result, not the journey and effort it took me to get there. I worried that any mistake would undo all my progress and make me feel inadequate.
But as time passed, I started to see things differently. I realized that failing didn't mean I was a failure. It was just a normal part of life. Each mistake was a chance to learn and become stronger. I now understand that the journey itself, with all its ups and downs, was where the real growth happened.
I discovered that those who genuinely cared about me would support me even when things didn't go perfectly. Even in failure, even without winning, even returning with nothing, they remained by my side. They recognized that success wasn't solely about victory but also about finding strength and wisdom through challenges.
So, to anyone who’s afraid of failing like I used to be, I offer this reassurance: you are not defined by your successes or failures alone. You are a work in progress—constantly evolving, learning, and growing. Even when things are hard, every step you take, every mistake you make, shows how brave and strong you are.
It’s normal to feel scared, but don’t let that fear stop you. Instead, use it to move forward and learn more about yourself and the world. It’s okay to make mistakes and face challenges. That’s how you grow and change. Success isn’t about never failing; it’s about learning from failures. So, every time you stumble, see it as a chance to become stronger and better. Your journey is about healing, discovering yourself, and never giving up. Remember, you’re strong enough to overcome anything. You are more than those failures.
