You're not bad at everything; you're bad at failing.

Be gentle with yourself throughout this month and prioritize self-care. Change is on the horizon and you deserve more recognition than you often grant yourself!

I used to experience anxiety in nearly every aspect of my life, coupled with a negative mindset regarding personal growth. About two years ago, I hit a low point. It wasn’t until last year that I decided to take control of my life and transform into the person I knew I could become.

After high school, I took a two-year break to figure out my path and who I wanted to become. During this time, I faced the double challenge of familial losses, prompting a reevaluation of my entire life. I felt lost, stuck, sick, and highly overwhelmed. Despite external fulfillment, my mentality was holding me back. While I had a significant support system during my high-anxiety period, I came to the realization halfway through 2023: I was afraid of failure.

To shift my mindset, I undertook three key steps: rebuilding myself, allowing the time to feel whole again, and acknowledging areas of improvement. I embraced the understanding that there’s always room for growth. Taking charge of my life, I confronted my fear of failure, and this change has made a significant impact.

Understanding the word Failure.

Failure, defined as a lack of success, is a feeling one often experiences when having exceptionally high standards that are challenging to meet. I struggled to achieve my goals due to consistently starting late. Recognizing that my difficulties stemmed from my delayed beginnings provided me with a profound insight into the meaning of failure, a concept with which I had grown quite familiar.

Previously, failure consumed much of my attention and consideration. However, by redirecting my focus towards success, I granted myself the opportunity to genuinely achieve it. Presently, I am returning to pursue a study in journalism! Because I not only took the chance on myself but also allowed myself to set myself up for success this upcoming school year.

Waking Up Early.

Embracing early mornings has genuinely transformed the way I see the world. I’ve established not only an internal bedtime but a physical one as well. Early wake-ups allow me to tackle tasks efficiently, ensuring that I accomplish everything unless I consciously decide to defer an activity or two (which is rare). By 7 A.M., my to-do list was complete, and I had improved my mindset.

I prioritize going to bed early and rising early over staying up late and waking up early. The fact remains that optimal well-being is achieved with a solid eight hours of sleep. Nevertheless, I allow myself some flexibility on weekends. It’s the right thing to do.

Acknowledging When I’m Thriving.

Since I reengaged with my studies, I’ve observed a marked change in my productivity within the academic realm and in my professional tasks, school assignments, and other activities that demand my total concentration. Recognizing your own accomplishments is crucial for personal development. Once you set things in motion and maintain consistent momentum in various aspects of your life, it imparts a sense of invincibility. Assuming control of your life and being confident in your decisions are paramount. You deserve to treat yourself - whether indulging in that coveted book, enjoying a meal out, or splurging on that clothing item you’ve been eyeing. You worked for it. You deserve it.

Putting yourself first is the most beneficial action you can take, allowing you to be who you are. Releasing and relinquishing control is also a vital step in self-care. If you need a different approach, make changes. Mistakes are valuable lessons, and perfection rarely happens on the first try. Be kind to yourself and allow room for growth.

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” —Winston Churchill.

You merit more remarkable achievements, and they will come your way. Throughout my life, I believed I wouldn’t accomplish anything remarkable. Yet, here I stand/ While what I’ve achieved may not be considered impressive by some, it is truly remarkable for someone who struggled to determine their path after high school. It’s a shared experience to not have everything figured out right after school, and there’s no rush. Continuously raising the bar, not just for myself but also for the younger version of me, Ari, brings a sense of pride to my present self.

Moreover, I take solace in knowing that my late mother and grandfather would also feel immense pride in the person I’ve become and the path I’ve forged (Thank you for everything you’ve done for me, Nana; you’re terrific and inspiring). Despite initial uncertainties, I’ve managed to carve out a fulfilling journey that extends pride not only to myself but to the cherished memories of my family.