Today was the international day of failure. Yes, you read that right, there is something called the International Day of Failure. I was just as surprised as you probably are reading this when I saw it online. Why is failure being celebrated?
We have all failed at one point or another in one endeavour or another, and every single time we fail, it is a terrible feeling. The shame, the embarrassment, the self doubt, the self dissapointment, and even disappointing others. I do not think there is anyone who likes to fail at anything, even the small things we don't care about so much. We may not care about them as much as other things, but when we fail, it still stings (at least that is how I feel).
Which is why when I saw that there is a whole day dedicated to failure, it intrigued me and I had to figure out what it was about. Although a very few actually pay attention to it, it exists. The premise of the whole day is to try to remove the stigma surrounding failure. Yes, we all know that failure is not a pleasant feeling, but it can be beneficial to growth if addressed the right way.
Failure is a general sign that there is room for improvement, and if the negative emotions like shame are removed from it, one can easily pinpoint where the improvement is needed and adjust accordingly, and when they face such the next time, they'd be better equipped to come out on top. Even gym rats work out till they hit failure (the ultimate max, whereby they can't go any more), and ironically, that is their peak.
I for one have had my fair share of battles with failure, and when I tell you that it can feel soul-crushing, I am not exaggerating. Especially when it feels like you put in so much effort and time into something, and then it falls apart. Sometimes I just want to give up, but then I remember what it is I am fighting for at the end of the day, and I clear my head and analyse the situation objectively to see how I can be better next time.
Why shouldn't we be afraid to fail? Because fear of failure is a barrier to anything great in life. Every single person who has gone on to achieve anything great in any field must have taken a risk at some point to get to where they are. If they were too afraid of failure to take that risk, they'd not get to where they are. Simple as that.
So join me, my friends, as I celebrate the International Day for Failure, not because I am a failure or I love failure, but because I understand that failure is nothing but a sign that there is room for improvement, and I am not afraid to fail as long as I'll eventually get to that end goal which I desire.
Cover image taken by me
