Navigating Failures in Early Adulthood: A Time of Self-Reflection and Growth

Have you ever felt like a failure at the age of 24? This question is often asked and can be a common sentiment not just in one's twenties, but throughout all stages of life. It all depends on the stage in your life and the level of self-expectation you hold. Often, when we have high standards for ourselves, we may perceive ourselves as falling short and therefore feeling like a failure.

Understanding the Stages and Setting Realistic Expectations

It's essential to recognize that your current stage in life can impact your feelings of success or failure. For instance, having high goals in your early twenties can lead to self-doubt if you don’t achieve them. This doesn’t mean you are indeed a failure, but it can be a sign that your plan (let's call it "Plan A") didn't work out as expected. It's crucial to remember that life is unpredictable, and sometimes, it's necessary to develop a backup plan. Let's explore this idea further.

Tips to Navigate the Feeling of Failure

One of the key tips is to be kind to yourself. Don’t be too hard on yourself when your goals aren’t met. Always remember that sometimes the plan you have set will come through, but most times, you need to create alternatives. In situations where things happen for a reason, consider these events as learning experiences rather than immediate indicators of failure. For example, if you set a high bar for yourself, like owning a house in your mid-20s, and unfortunately, things did not work out as planned, it's important to recognize that this doesn't define you as a failure.

Personal Experience

For instance, during the pandemic, I set a very high goal of having a house before turning 30. I did everything I could to make this happen, including asking for a raise, working overtime, and even trying to outbid others for properties. However, even with all these efforts, I didn't achieve my goal. I felt like a failure, but not anymore. I learned from this experience and realized that sometimes, it's not about achieving the goal in your specific way or timeframe. Instead, it's about moving forward and focusing on what truly matters.

Lessons from Scripture

In times of confusion, it can be helpful to turn to literature and sacred texts for guidance. One such text is 1 Timothy 6:6-10, which encourages us to find contentment and specifies the value of a godly life. The passage emphasizes the importance of self-contentment and the dangers of valuing wealth over spiritual well-being. This text serves as a reminder to focus on our blessings rather than our desires.

1 Timothy 6:6-10 (excerpt)

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people eager for money have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Conclusion

Feeling like a failure at the age of 24 or any other age can be a part of the natural human experience. However, it's crucial to shift our perspective to one of self-reflection and growth. By being kind to ourselves and focusing on what truly matters, we can overcome feelings of failure and move towards a more fulfilling and content life. Remember, it's not about achieving the goal in a specific way or timeframe, but about growing and learning from each experience.