Everyone makes mistakes. Some spiritual teachings suggest that the only true mistake is failing to learn from experience. It’s an encouraging idea, as long as it isn’t used to blame anyone.
Mistakes are part of life
Getting things wrong is how humans learn. It doesn’t make you a failure.
Learning takes time
You don’t have to learn from every experience right away. Sometimes understanding comes much later, or not at all. That’s okay.
Hard things aren’t lessons you chose
Not every difficult situation is something you “manifested” or need to learn from. Sometimes hard things simply happen.
Self-acceptance
Treating yourself kindly after a mistake makes it easier to try again.
A next step
After a mistake, ask, What’s one small thing I can do now?
How little is enough
Think of a recent mistake and write down one kind thing you’d say to a friend in the same situation.
For more, read Self-compassion: 4 reasons being kind to yourself matters.
When you’re ready to go a little deeper, the Guides page has a guided journal for walking through change at your own pace.