I cheated on my ex-girlfriend and covered it up to my family.

I failed myself by staying in jobs and relationships for beyond their expiration date. I didn’t feel worthy or strong enough to stand up for myself.

I failed at getting into computer science a few times. I’m now en route to a politics-adjacent field and I did not realize it until my last few semesters before graduating

I have failed time and time and time again at trying to spend less time scrolling and more time writing my own stories.

I got rejected from UK Drama Schools 4 years in a row. I auditioned to over 10 different schools repeatedly each year and was told no every time until I finally gained a place on my final audition of year 4.

I consistently fail to initiate important conversations I need to have with my partner because I’m scared he won’t understand what I’m trying to say & take it personally.

It took me 5 years to leave a bad relationship because I kept thinking I could do something, ANYTHING to make it better. My only regret is I knew it was bad in the first year and didn't leave because I didn't want to be lonely 😕

I held onto my dog too long and should’ve put him down MONTHS earlier than I did. I failed to see that he was suffering, though he was holding on. I was in denial and refused to let him go. I was tasked with a stewardship and I failed him. It’s my biggest regret in life.

I talk a lot about how we only have one life & we need to do what makes us happy – but I’m too scared to quit my secure well paid job and try something new, even though I’m miserable – what if I fail?! Failing to try, in case I fail at trying 🙃

I failed to get the grade I wanted in my BA Degree. Despite giving it everything I had, I came up short.

After a year of working out 3-4 time per week, I took a vacation, feel off the wagon for a month, visibly lost gains, and then hurt myself the very first time I went back to the gym!

Failed to live truly to my own values (making big improvements lately but what's one year compared to an entire life?)

I spend way too long playing video games every day, but I can’t make myself stop

I stopped training for my first marathon when plantar fasciitis hit; I fixed the foot problem but never started running again.

I failed to listen to myself

I thought I could lay my own patio… Turns out it’s harder than I thought. It’s about 3/4 complete but just can’t make myself finish it because I know it won’t be ‘perfect’.

Getting a career after college, stuck in a dead end job that I got laid off from and unable to find a new one in the past 6 months

I went to grad school during COVID to become a High School History Teacher and had to quit during my last semester when I discovered I was too afraid of public speaking to teach, and the stress & anxiety of it caused migraines, sky-high blood pressure, and a Bipolar Manic Episode… oops.

I failed to keep off my weight loss 3 times and kept gaining back the losses plus more!!😭😭

I've started and left so many different jobs I've lost count. I still don't know what I want to do with my life.

I didn’t run my lab correctly as a professor (hiring the wrong people, not publishing enough) and this failure basically ended my career as an academic scientist.

I fail to finish most things that I start.

I fell in love with training in boxing. I tried sparring and found out that I was not in good shape for it and got my ass handed to me- I barely survived 1 round. Made me question why I chose boxing and haven’t done anything health related since. I learned that I don’t do well in defeat.

Needing a career change in 2012, I decided I need a more outdoor job and enrolled in a conservation and land management course, which cost almost $10k up front and ran for 12 months. I didn’t quite complete it and realised I couldn’t work full time or in places where the jobs were.

My kid is in therapy. Also to the “failed” crocheter, Those Wooble kits lie! They aren’t for beginners! Pick up a beginners crochet book, you’ve got this!

I've spent my entire life talking myself out of the things I wanted to do because they aren't "real" jobs that were likely to pay my bills, only for the "real" jobs I went into debt going to grad school for to not be hiring when I graduated.

I fail every single time I go into Trader Joe's by buying the dark chocolate peanut butter cups.

Shared my complaints to my teachers in a martial arts school. Got told maybe this(the school) wasn't my place and got blocked on social media by one of them.

I failed at online dating. I also failed at introducing myself to cute nerds in public.

Coaching football

i failed my wife, and we're separated on the verge of divorce. i learned a lot and ultimately am hoping to prevent this failure again, but the sting of this one cuts deep and will create permanent damage.

I screwed up today and didn't do my newsletter which is why i'm writing it at lunch with my friend Sam

I people-pleased myself right into depression – risking my marriage and family life.

I failed at sticking in a "good job", and usually I'm happy about it but sometimes I feel like an idiot

I paid $600+ for a certification but never finished the portfolio project that was required to get the certification. They even offered me a "re-do" and I just couldn't bring myself to finish it.

I moved to Oregon after college to live with my boyfriend. Within 6 months I had moved back to Ohio and the relationship ended shortly thereafter.

I failed at doing a smooth transition during my divorce for my family.

I've probably tried to re-invent myself with a new "system" or self-help program 100+ times.

So, so many perfectly good meal preps die by trash can every month because takeout and Starbucks exists.

I keep self-sabotaging and acting against my better judgment. Something that feels like it should be so simple to give up, is holding me back from being the best version of myself.

I failed Greek 3 as an undergraduate. I needed three semesters of a foreign language. I had to try again.

I am trying SO HARD to be present and enjoy this moment, and yet there's a large part of me that can't wait for this week to be over too! I don't want to be a time traveler!

I hate the fact that I am heavier and less in shape than my dad was at this age. I see how he is at 70 and it scares me, but I still dont take the action I should to prevent it. I feel like less than others and that they have permission to behave in ways that would make me ostracized.

I dropped out of community college 7 times before I accepted I just didn’t want to go.

I haven’t picked up a golf club in about 2 months.

Divorced 4 times. Married 5. Optimistic.

I failed at so many different attempts to improve my diet and exercise more.

I failed at returning to uni. I gave up my studies twice after my mother died. I couldn't get the marks I thought I "needed", so I dropped out twice before eventually going back to complete my undergrad degree. I have a Masters now.

I work too hard, I care too much, and sometimes I can be too invested in my job.

I wrote to this one fav author "Oo0oh do YOU have ADHD TOO?! Awesome!" Then afterwards thought "wellp I will never speak with him or anyone else ever again, thanks"

I've been eating dessert almost every day even though I keep telling myself to eat healthier

I tried a ropes course to conquer my fear of heights and made it about 5 feet in on the lowest level and couldn't go any further

Questioning my boss's decisions on what she gives me for tasks. Now I'm paying for it by doing useless tasks with no thought put into why I'm doing these tasks at all.

I continuously recognize when I am about to enter the moment of weakness, and I do it anyway. I need those shockers like White Goodman in dodgeball.

I didn't speak up for my friend when someone I knew said something unfriendly to him.

I exhibited no mental skills in a golf round even after 9 years of training and knowing exactly what to do and think; I chose to implode.

No matter how much I love having greenery and beautiful plants around me, I fail to water them regularly and usually just watch them die a slow death while I carry on with life… Then go buy new ones.

You gave me one simple task, pick a failure, well out of the many, I can't even do that right. I'll try again!

I failed an important exam that was needed to earn my PH.D. It caused me to leave academia, but silver-lining showed me how toxic my level of perfectionism became and allowed personal growth in unexpected and surprising ways.

My sister got me a gift card to a local bike shop so I could get my flat tire fixed. I procrastinated for months, and when I finally went, the shop had gone out of business

Packed my daughter's wheelchair for a long road trip. When we got to our destination many hours later I discovered I had forgotten to pack one of the foot rests.

I failed at achieving my goal weight by age 40. I may also be failing to achieve it by age 41, but I’m still trying!

I failed at getting my apartment declutterd for several years.

I was doing super well with a killer good workout program, lost the plot, and can't get back on board!

I can't seem to rebuild my savings. I have great intentions, and then I just…forget? And start buying books and materials for home improvement projects that I'll never start?

I am a good worker bee, yet I'm horrible at holding in my irritation with others who don't care as much. This makes it hard to feel comfortable at work.

I decided to try passive hydroponics but failed to clean the plants I brought in from outside… my basement was overrun with sticky aphids on every plant for 6 months

I'm not too good on maintenance of my aquarium. Not even the basic water change. I regret that my fish have to suffer because of me 🙁

I failed so hard during an interview that the interviewer told me to breathe and demonstrated deep breathing for me.

Everyone always said make time for your health or you'll be forced to make time for your illness.
Well damnit they were right. Baby steps now back to good.

I put thousands of dollars of my savings into a new business I never made a penny from! Then I had to pay to officially close the business.

I bought choc chips so I could make cookies and I ate the entire bag (and never baked any cookies)

I'm failing at finding my confidence to get back into the workforce after an extended mid-life break 🙁

I failed out of nursing school once. I ended up getting back in and getting my RN! Went back to school and now I am an MD.

I joked that my boss was bald because of everything that went over his head. It was my first meeting on a new job. Thank goodness he had a sense of humor.

I failed
Trying to sing in a band. I love to sing and I’m not bad but I chickened out at the last minute. It was going to be at at CBGBs in NYC!

I discovered a surprising love for chemistry at high school and was filled with enthusiasm until blowing a practical exam which meant I failed the entire year. Never touched the subject again.

Going down a zip line, after accepting support from a friend to do it. Even with a friend, I'm afraid of heights.

I am only one class away from getting my AA degree, but math is hard.

I've tried starting a YouTube channel on 3 different subjects but never managed to get more than 4 videos out.

I failed at 4 marriages…not sure if I really failed at them, or just failed to pick partners for the right reasons. Seems I've lived my life in survival mode, makes for some bad choices.

While staying at a hot spring resort in Japan, I decided to get out of the outdoor hot spring (naked) and look at the beautiful garden. I failed to realize that the dinning room also looks out to the garden. The diners that evening were treated to a dinner AND a show!

I keep replaying the hurtful comments others have made, years later.

I procrastinate creating a food plan that works for me so I just keep yo-yo'ing and preventing progress! It sucks!

I failed at cutting carbs due to my love of potatoes, bread, and dessertsl

I begged my parents for Heelys as a kid. Tried for 30 mins, fell, and never put them back on.

I keep meaning to write to the people that matter to me, but fail to actually sit down and write the message

I was applying for a job and was offered a good salary and compensation package.
I asked for even more. They got offended and didn't want to hire me at all anymore

I have failed to qualify for the Boston Marathon 15 times.

Booked an important audit at work for the same day I was leaving for an out of town getaway with my wife. Oof. Rescheduled the audit btw. 🙂

I’ve been setting my alarm for 30 mins earlier to go for a run before work. Unfortunately I am so far just really good at snoozing it.

Planting trees; they always die unless I'm not the one planting them

I haven't gardened in 3 years because I'm too overwhelmed to clean out the weeds. I'm an Ag Engineer; I'm supposed to be farming things!

I do a lot of sewing and I wanted to make a dress for a Christmas party. I chose a sweater-ish fabric with some metallic in it and made a sweater dress. It looked EXACTLY like chainmail.

I did not manage to complete the baby Spartan race I signed up for. I also fell more times during the race than I care to count.

I’m working on doing my first pull-up. I’ve been failing for over a year!

I failed to keep together a marriage of nearly thirty years.

At saying no, I have WAY too many commitments and keep on finding more 😣

I moved to a new state for a better chance of getting the job I wanted. I didn't get it, but I've had some fun adventures along the way.

I lost over 40 pounds and regained that plus some in a 9 month period a couple of years later.

Went roller skating after 20 years, to take my mind off losing a fur baby. Took my mind off it alright, broke my wrist bad ebough to need surgery.

I planned to work out today at 1pm. And I did not.

I failed at putting family first over my career.

I failed at not recognizing treatment burden until late in the process

Forgot to sign my daughter up for aftercare!

I failed at being a business owner. I upended my life, tried it and realized I didn’t like it. So I quit and went back to teaching.

I put frozen spinach in the microwave to thaw. I forgot to remove the wrapper and it exploded. I was cleaning spinach out of the microwave for daaayysss.

I failed at asking for help. Many, many times. I was too scared to look like a failure and hid how much I was struggling. When I finally did ask, they said “why didn’t you ask sooner?” And I felt even more like a failure…

I have failed at getting back into the gym after the holidays. Yes, I mean Thanksgiving and Christmas. Here I am in June and still have only been to the gym 3 times since the New Year turned.

Got “asked to resign” from what I thought was my forever/dream job

I dropped out of college 3(THREE!) times! But I just signed up again 15 years later 😀

I joined a fitness/weight loss challenge and did so well that I got better results than anyone, and won a cash prize! Then I took a break… for a year. I gained back all the weight, plus 5 lbs.

I procrastinated too much on buying flights on the right days at the right times at an incredible price. The price went up so much I couldn’t even afford them in that same week 🙁

I failed to turn a dinosaur costume in to a monkey costume – I accidentally cut the hole where the tail was supposed to be on the dinosaur and there was an enormous hole in the monkey crotch. A very nice older seamstress somehow fixed it before the show opened.

I ordered pasta carbonara at a seaside pub in Dingle, Ireland.

I have made numerous Cakes of Shame. While I am not a professional, I've learned how to bake because I've got a daughter with severe nut allergies. In my the learning phase, I've made cakes that fell, were under- (and over-) baked, and one that my husband claims made the Patriots lose the Super Bowl

I didn't do the right thing when I had the chance.

Once, during a Thai-Massage, I accidentally farted pretty loudly, to the amusement of the massage therapist and the clients in the other massage-booths.

I stopped practicing a skill I was getting good at, because I got too good too fast and freaked myself out. Now I'm struggling to get started again.

I try to finish work at 5pm everyday. I never finish before 6pm.

I mis-read a recipe and added a heaping tablespoon of cayenne pepper. It said "half a teaspoon." The dish was completely inedible because it was SO HOT.

I had been so good at resisting cravings the last month. Today I felt sad and anxious and reached for chocolate in the office kitchen. Feel like I am back to old habits, again…

At dinner on my wedding day,
my new husband pitched a fit
over nothing in the restaurant and embarrassed and insulted everyone there…and I realized that I had make a BIG mistake. I spent my wedding night researching how to get an annulment.

I failed to keep in touch with friends after college

I ordered Black Jack Tacos from Taco Bell for my wife after a night out. Only problem is that I forgot she only eats soft tacos. Led to one of the biggest arguments of our marriage and me getting briefly evicted from our hotel room.

I searched “pinch and two-finger drag” on a work computer

Every day I have a goal of not yelling at my kids. You can get mad and frustrated, but try not to yell. Regretfully, I often fail at this goal

I tried to hit my driver off the first tee box…

Took my kids to swim class 30mins late because I got the start time wrong. They really wanted to swim 🙁

I ordered Nashville Hot Chicken for myself while home alone with my kids, age 1 and 3. While I was briefly incapacitated by hot chicken, my toddler took a butter knife to our nice leather chairs like a hacksaw and the baby had a massive blowout poop.

Didn’t train enough to run my local marathon last year, so I deferred it to this year. I trained for it, then got injured 3 hours before the race. Now it’s on the calendar for next year!

I've been overweight my whole life and failed at every attempt in the past 10 years to get my weight down. I almost succeeded in my last attempted, then crashed and burned out so hard I returned to my starting weight

Sharing failures! I’m terrible at it.

Accidentally shaved off part of my beard. Now I have no beard. I do NOT look good without a beard.

i failed to acknowledge my failures

I’m trying so hard to stay present in the moment and stop trying to fast forward through life. BUT IT IS NOT GOING WELL

I have been saying I’m going to try writing fiction for 15 years. But maybe NEXT year is the year…

I forgot to sign up for a fun event that I assumed wouldn’t sell out. And then it sold out. And now I am sad.

I forgot to water my planets and went on vacation and came back and they were sooooo dead.

Skipped therapy this week. I'm an anxious mess. Probably shouldn't have skipped therapy this week…

I'm a writer, and I turned in my own essay three days late. it's a completely arbitrary deadline, but I still feel like a failure for not getting it done on time.

I spent the last 6 weeks farting around and not working on a talk I might have to give, and now I might have to give that talk NEXT WEEK. Crap on a cracker!

Set a New Years intention to try Pilates — it’s now June… Maybe tomorrow’s the day! (But probably not.)

I once set off to walk Hadrian's Wall (north of England), a 10-day trip. On day one, I was caught in a massive rainstorm and my backpack dissolved, dumping everything in a stream including my sleeping bag. I went home, drippingly, on the train. Holiday over.

I'm a writer, and pitched an editor with an email that included the typo "I'll get back to you shorty." she replied "Thanks, and since I'm 5 foot 4, your wording is not amiss." I have never recovered from this.

I failed at financial planning and may have to start my retirement savings from scratch at 50.

I had to throw out the bag of spring mix in the fridge…again. Because I forgot to actually make salad… again. But maybe next time.

I didn't practice enough between my golf lessons, so I kind of wasted a lot of money to not get any results.

I have workaholic tendencies, and I skipped a really fun trip to NYC because I told myself I had too much to do. I really love that city too.

I failed ta remaining mindful during the times when 99% of the drama in my life was happening in my brain, and not in my life.

I’ve failed to be true to myself about what I want. I made the excuse that it’s a selfish feeling for years and as such, made it a point to please everyone else but myself.

I am way behind on my newsletter drafts because I keep procrastinating instead

I skipped my yoga class yesterday because I felt lazy, and now I’m really regretting that decision

I opened my microwave to heat up my dinner, only to discover food I had heated up the previous day and forgot about in the 60 seconds it was in the microwave. Yikes

My daughter was going through a stressful time and I overreacted to things instead of keeping my cool and helping her navigate a path.

I burned the oil in the cooking pot today because I was too tired and burnt out to care to be quicker about it. I'm almost 34 years old now and have cooked for almost half my life.

I failed to do many meaningful things like investing and launching a business and writing a book because I'm stuck with daily & weekly maintenance tasks, & keeping my employer from sinking, & emotional burnout from crossed boundaries, & moving living spaces constantly, in an unsupportive environment

They went in for a shake. I went in for a fist bump. They shook my fist. I didn't get the job.

I failed my first driver's test and then got a speeding ticket on the way to my second test. Don't worry, I've been a licensed driver for 21 years now!

I failed at learning to crochet. I've started 6 Woobles kits and finished exactly 0.

I failed 'Ancient Greek Civilization' in college because I didn't want to wake up at 8am and had to retake it senior year to clear out the failed credit off my GPA

I failed to complete a race 4 separate years… for 4 different reasons (fresh new failures each time!)

I fail to recognizing how far I’ve actually come because I keep comparing myself to where I think I should be at this point in my life.

Put my shirt on inside out, again.

I quit figure skating once I was signed up for a competition because I was scared

I failed my first time trying to visit the Museum of Failure!

Growing a japanese maple tree. It died. 🙁