What's True Failure?

It's like when you follow someone on social media because you like the content they produce, but they also simultaneously make you feel insecure.

Here's a random thought I had this week. If you classify yourself as a type A, perfectionist- as I do- sometimes it's better to not complete the challenge.

When I sign up for or am given a challenge, I consider myself a failure if I don't complete it.

In gym class, when we had to run the mile or do circuit training, I remember having the mentality that I'd rather die than stop or not complete this challenge. Stopping or quitting meant failure. I remember times thinking I was going to either throw up or collapse from exhaustion, but I pushed myself to finish. I did not want to be a failure, and I longed for the reward of praise from my teachers.

But, pushing yourself is one thing, but continuing to do something just to finish it- even if it's unhealthy- is quite another.

For the month of February, I thought it would be a fun idea to enroll in a brain challenge, and I sent the link to a couple of friends too. Every day a five-minute video would come into my inbox with a small tip or habit from a respected psychiatrist, whom I respected, on how to have a healthier brain. The first couple of days were very practical and helpful, but then his tips started to set alarms off in my mind.

I thought I could push through them, ignore the bad advice, and only take the good one because I didn't want to quit. I have also gained great knowledge from this brain doctor that has helped me understand my own brain so much better.

However, in this case, I realized failure wouldn't be stopping, it would be continuing. It's like when you follow someone on social media and you like them for the content they produce, but they also simultaneously make you feel insecure because your life doesn't look like theirs. What's the bigger trade-off here?

A lot of the tips this doctor was giving were not compliant or helpful to every human being. The brain is so complicated and we've only recently discovered that all brains are different. Something that may help one person, could be detrimental to another.

It's important to acknowledge what's healthy and helpful for you, but also to remember that just because something isn't helpful for you does not mean it isn't helpful for someone else. You can quietly remove what isn't good for you without ruining it for others.

That's my food for thought this week :)