Don't Be Afraid to Admit You're Wrong

I have messed up many times in my life. I do mean many times. I could tell you all the times I messed up royally, but that list would be so long that we’d be here forever, not to mention the fact that I lack consent to talk about personal conflicts publicly from their side. I can’t change the past, but I know that, as I’ve grown and changed over the years, I recognize I did the wrong thing in many scenarios, especially in my teenage years. There were times when I thought I knew everything. There were times when I was so anxious about something that I sent a message I didn’t mean to send or burned a bridge that I shouldn’t have. I would not admit it then, but I will admit it now. I was wrong in many cases. I will continue to be wrong throughout the course of my life. I will be right sometimes, but sometimes, I won’t be.

During 2020, while we were all locked inside with little to do, I did a few things. One of them was to apologize to people I had wronged in a major way. I did not expect a response from them. I did not expect forgiveness. I did not expect any kindness. I was not owed any of those things, nor would I ever expect to be. If they responded, I would respond, but if they didn’t respond at all, I would not bother them again. Pretty much everyone I messaged responded, most forgave me, and we reached an understanding. I hope I was able to provide them with the closure they needed.

I have made mistakes in recent years. I will keep on making mistakes and doing the wrong thing sometimes. That’s what it means to be human. My actions will hurt people sometimes. My words will hurt people. I may not recognize it in the moment, but I usually do eventually. No matter how long it has been, I will admit to doing the wrong thing and apologize. I will admit when I have messed up if for no other reason than the person I have wronged deserves an apology.

I aim to do better in the future, no matter what. I will stumble and fall at times, but I always strive to improve. I will not claim to be perfect. I am far from it. I will fight to do better, for everyone’s sake, including my own. When I do mess up, I will admit it. I am not afraid to admit when I am wrong. I hope that you’re not either.