Hello dear reader.
When I first started this newsletter, I used to sign off with the phrase “Begin Anywhere.” It was a reminder, as I stepped out of my normal routine and into a new way of being—and didn’t know where to begin. I didn’t know how to be. And quite frankly, I was afraid. Afraid no matter what I did it wouldn’t be right, or good. That I was making a mistake. That everything had been a mistake.
I don’t know who needs to read this today, but it really struck a chord with me, so I want to share this passage with you. It’s from Melody Beattie’s Journey to the Heart, a book of daily meditations.
Don’t Be Afraid of Making Mistakes
Don’t be so afraid of making a mistake. That energy can create more mistakes. It can stop us from enjoying what we’re doing. It can block us from creating freely and making something beautiful.
Sometimes it’s necessary and important to make mistakes, to fumble around and do something poorly so we can learn to do it better next time. No matter what we’re doing or what we’re learning, we have to start somewhere. Look back at the past. We learned by trying, stumbling, falling, getting back up, and trying again. But we wouldn’t be where we’re at if we hadn’t begun where we were.
Jump in, begin, and do the task as best as you can. Stop worrying about mistakes, and let yourself do it as well as you can right now. If you do it wrong or poorly, you can do it over again. And when you do it in an attitude of love, you won’t fail. You’ll learn something about yourself, life and the task.
Love yourself enough to try. Let yourself make mistakes. Tell yourself you don’t have to do it perfectly. Let yourself have fun while you’re learning. Start where you are, and do what you can. Learning and getting better will happen from there.
You may not always know the best way in the beginning, but if you keep trying, you'll quickly learn to tell when you're on track.
If this is you today, I hope these words from Melody Beattie help you as they’ve helped me. I realize I’m getting much better at not being afraid to make mistakes—especially with baking and art! I’m never sure how my efforts will turn out, but am pleasantly surprised when they don’t completely suck! In fact, I’m embracing my mistakes by jotting down notes for next time.
Melody’s words reminded me of not only where I’ve been, but how far I’ve come. I hope they spark a similar stirring in you.
Keep (un)Learning. KVB. xo
What say you?
Is being afraid of making a mistake keeping you from something you want to try? If so, what is it?
What have you learned from your mistakes? (Big or small ones!)
Where did this notion come from that everything we do has to be perfect? Did our learning mindset leave us when we left childhood?
Photo by Tim Arterbury on Unsplash
Thank you, this was great.
Absolutely Kim: mistakes, once we learn to be self honest, form the bedrock of Self Teaching.... Now if only we could get a few Tory and GOPs to absorb the concept, maybe restacking might help ?