Flirt With Failure Every Day

We live in a society that applauds perfection. As much as we try not to engage, it’s hard not to. It’s fun to watch people get their sh** together. It’s inspiring to see a “success story.” It’s comforting to see someone be good at something. But, there is something so beautiful about “failing.”

I put “failure” in quotations for a reason. I don’t necessarily believe in the idea that we either succeed or we fail. It feels final in a way that I don’t live my life. To me, when something doesn’t work out as I expected it to, that is simply an opportunity for something else to come in. It’s a redirect. Similarly, if I try something and it doesn’t come easily or I can’t accomplish it, that just means it requires more time and effort.

I shifted my definition of “failure” recently and instead of seeing it as an end destination, I see it as an undiscovered field. It’s an opportunity for something new, a challenge to chip away at, an open space to explore. That mindset helps me put myself out there in a vulnerable way. And with that, I gain more confidence in myself and my potential. Staying in a box with limiting beliefs, fearing what will happen if I step outside those lines is no way to live.

Flirting with failure is a fun concept. As someone who used to take herself so seriously and thrive in a structured corporate environment with checks and balances, reminding myself of the freedom to fail is truly life-changing. “What’s the worst that can happen?” I’ll ask myself. Let’s try this new thing. Let’s write a screenplay because it sounds fun. Let’s map out a dream office space before we get the job. Let’s learn guitar, try a new recipe, wear a trendy outfit, post on social media. Yeah, it could all go wrong. So what?

Eliminating the bounds of either succeeding or failing and instead just doing has helped me cement what I love, what I don’t love, what I’m capable of, and what I want to do more of. It’s a way to explore, take adventures, and be gutsy. I share this to entice you to do the same. Flirt with failure today. Call that boy you’re in love with. Share your new song you wrote last night. Post the selfie. Pitch your dream boss. What’s the worst that can happen?