Sarah Pichardo Anyone who knows me knows I love to learn. I’m constantly taking a class, reading a book, diving into articles, or doing something, anything, to deepen what I know. But here’s something I’ve come to understand along the way: real learning doesn’t just come from books or classrooms.
Real learning comes from doing.
And when you do—when you try, stretch, explore and take risks—you’re bound to make mistakes.
And boy oh boy, have I made mistakes. Big ones. Little ones. Some that made me cringe and others that ended up being my greatest teachers.
Let’s get one thing out of the way: you’re going to mess up sometimes. You’ll miss deadlines, say the wrong thing, bomb a test or make a decision that, looking back, you wish you’d handled differently.
That doesn’t mean you’re failing at life. It means you’re learning.
Albert Einstein once said,
“A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.”
And that pretty much sums it up: mistakes are a sign that you’re pushing yourself, taking risks and showing up in a world where things don’t always go according to plan. That’s not something to be ashamed of. That’s something to be proud of.
Why We’re So Afraid of Mistakes
We live in a world that celebrates perfection—perfect grades, perfect careers, perfect Instagram feeds. From a young age, we’re taught to avoid being wrong, to raise our hands only when we’re sure and to fear failure like it’s the end of the world.
But guess what? Real life isn’t a multiple-choice test. It’s messy, unpredictable and full of learning curves.
Avoiding mistakes means avoiding opportunities. And avoiding opportunities means missing out on growth.
Mistakes = Information, Not Failure
Here’s a mindset shift that changes everything: Mistakes aren’t proof that you’re not good enough. They’re information.
They teach you:
- What doesn’t work
- Where your limits are
- What matters to you
- How to do better next time
Every mistake is a chance to gather data, pivot and try again with a little more wisdom than before.
Mistakes Are What Make Up Experience
When people talk about “experience,” they’re usually talking about a collection of mistakes, lessons, trial runs and course corrections. You don’t gain experience by doing everything right the first time; you gain it by trying, stumbling, adjusting and continuing forward.
Every time you mess up and learn from it, you’re building a skill set. You’re becoming more resilient, more aware and more equipped for the next challenge.
That awkward interview?
That failed group project?
That job you didn’t get?
All of it counts. All of it is experience. You’re not starting from scratch, you’re starting from knowledge.
Think About It This Way…
- You failed the class…but you learned how your study habits need to change and what kind of support you might need next time.
- You messed up in the relationship…but you learned more about your communication style, your boundaries and what you truly want in a partner.
- You bombed that presentation…but now you know what preparation looks like under pressure and you’ll be better equipped for the next one.
You’re not pretending it didn’t happen; you’re owning it and growing from it. That’s real progress. Mistakes don’t cancel out your worth or potential. They shape your next steps.
How to Embrace Mistakes Without Letting Them Define You
1. Own It Without Shame
You don’t need to pretend everything’s fine or cover it up. Say it:
“I messed up. And that’s okay.”
Owning a mistake is a sign of strength, not weakness.
2. Ask: What Can I Learn From This?
Instead of spiraling into self-criticism, take a deep breath and reflect.
- What caused the mistake?
- What can you do differently next time?
- What did you learn about yourself in the process?
3. Talk About It
Sharing your mistake with a friend or mentor can help you gain perspective and maybe even some much-needed encouragement. Most people will respond with, “Oh yeah, I’ve done that too.” Because we’ve all been there.
4. Practice Self-Compassion
You wouldn’t tear down a friend for messing up, right? Extend that same grace to yourself. You’re learning. You’re growing. That deserves patience, not punishment.
5. Keep Moving Forward
The worst thing a mistake can do is convince you to stop trying. Don’t let it. Take the lesson and carry it with you—not as baggage, but as experience.
Failure Isn’t the Opposite of Success, It’s Part of It
Some of the biggest breakthroughs in life happen because of failure, not in spite of it. When you let go of the need to be perfect, you create space for boldness, creativity and resilience.
So go ahead: try the thing. Take the risk. Say yes to the opportunity, even if it scares you. You might stumble, but you’ll also rise.
And that’s how you grow.
Mistakes Mean You’re Trying
Einstein had it right: if you never make a mistake, you’re not trying anything new. So don’t let a misstep convince you to sit on the sidelines of your own life. Keep showing up, keep learning and keep going.
You’re not supposed to have it all figured out. You’re supposed to figure it out as you go.
What’s one mistake you’ve learned the most from? Share your story in the comments—your growth could inspire someone else.
