My teenage son shares his inhibitions many a time. “Mummy! What if my decision is wrong?” I sit him down to have a heart-to-heart discussion. Remember when you were learning to walk, and I was standing ten steps in front of you with your favorite toy in my hand? I was asking you to come and get it from me? What would have been on your mind? Grabbing your toy or how many times you fell before finally reaching me and the toy?

Probably your complete focus was on getting what you so longed for. That was a beautiful approach to life! What if we can keep it going? Let us understand how you evaluate something like an incorrect decision. When you face a situation, whether related to taking care of yourself or planning your academics, you do what’s best according to you. You sometimes feel not good enough because you compare your abilities with us, the grown-ups, or your friends. Do not do that. We have learned all skills when we faced situations in life; just as you are doing now.

The maturity that we gained came with age and experience. What you are doing is making yourself dread your own capability to come up with solutions based on your judgment of our maturity. We did our own mistakes. In fact, you probably are more mature than we were at your age. Tomorrow as you grow up and look at a decision you took in life, do not judge yourself and be proud of what you probably decided with the level of wisdom is absolutely fantastic because YOU GAVE YOUR BEST.

Comparing your capabilities with others has a long-lasting negative impact on your self-image. Please do not do that. Your personal journey is unique and valuable. You are growing and re-learning at every step in your life. Just like we, your parents, did. Do not compare your decisions and capabilities to that of your parents or friends. Let your values and intellect be your guide. Then you would be proud of your decisions and will stick with them. You are giving your best. You are the best. As parents, we are so proud of you.   

“It is impossible to live without failing at something unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all – in which case, you fail by default.” – J. K. Rowling