Failure: How to Cope and Why it’s OK
Failing is an experience that most of us will have to endure at one time or another.
We often have a difficult time dealing with it, but we need to realize that failing isn’t all bad. Failure, although painful and potentially humiliating, hosts it’s fair share of benefits.
One of the main benefits of failure is that it cultivates empathy.
We all fail at one time or another and we can use our failures to connect with those around us through similar experience. What is also important is that you direct that empathy inward toward yourself. People tend to be their own worst critic, which can lead to an unhealthy anger toward yourself when you fail at something. But consider this: If a friend failed a test, you wouldn’t scold them. Instead, you would comfort them.
You should extend the same courtesy to yourself.
Changing your point of view about failing is critical to healthily coping with it. Regarding a failure as an objective experience that has taught you a lesson can help lessen the blow of not achieving what was expected. This simple reframing and acceptance that things may not always go as planned can go a long way.
Failure is the darkness needed to see the light; without it you cannot appreciate what you do have.
It has a humbling effect. Without failure, one can become egotistical, shallow and insensitive, as they have not had the opportunity to develop empathetic qualities. So do not envy those who do not fail, as they have failed in more subtle and indirect ways; in the way of character development.
Failing can be disappointing, but remember that it teaches us and molds us into the perseverant and strong individuals we want to be.
