I’ve made a lot of mistakes. It’s not the time to talk about those mistakes but someday I will. I realize that I push the mantra of your 20’s being a time to grow but what isn’t pushed is while you grow, you will also make mistakes, take wrong turns and you’re going to have to deal with the things that those lessons leave you with.
You can read all the self-help articles about forgiving yourself, guilt, moving on, realizing you have to commit to decisions you have made but let’s be honest, none of those really help you when you are struggling. They feel superficial and generic. You want actual help that gets you through the hard days. Reading words don’t help you when you are actually struggling with almost every single decision you have made.
I’ve seen the quote, “You Are More Than Your Mistakes” multiple times. It wasn’t until two days ago when I was really, really struggling with a lot of questions I had and decisions that I and will be making that I saw it. Something about it just stuck with me right then. You are MORE than your MISTAKES. It’s really a beautiful moment to realize that you aren’t your mistakes.
ravenlocks
Oh my gosh…thank you for pointing this out. I saw that quote on Pinterest too lol. And one day it just hit me that my mistakes shouldn't define me. It feels like sometimes people like to focus on the mistakes of others and point them out whenever they can (do discredit you). We live in such a negative society, so it's nice to see someone like you point out something so positive.
Cute skirt, btw. You look fabulous, as always <3
xo Azu
http://www.raven-locks.blogspot.com
Alice Warren
So true! I still make mistakes all the time and hopefully I still learn from them 🙂 I love this outfit – co chic!
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
Hope to see you for TBT Fashion link up.
twentysomethingsimple
This is such an important post. Thank you so much for sharing this. It's often hard for me to come to terms with the mistakes I've made, but it's easier knowing everyone else is on this journey with me.
xo Kimi
Snoskred
Those shoes! 🙂
Elegance and Mommyhood
I doubt you have made too many mistakes. Don't be hard on your pretty self. Now that skirt, the cuff and those shoes – oh my! I want them this very minute.
Rachelle Pinksole
love the asymmetrical skirt, and you are so right beating ourselves up for past mistakes is just a waste of time.
xo
PinkSole
Taramixandmatch
Such a great quote, and something we need to all keep in mind and not be too hard on ourselves 🙂 You look adorable, I love the hemline of that skirt!
Nada Qamber
I miss reading your posts. This one is such an inspiration. It made my day! <3
And I adore that outfit on you. It's so simple, elegant, and chic. You look beautiful!
Lauren {Fizz and Frosting}
Such a true sentiment, and something everyone needs to hear now and again! I love this skirt and those booties!!
Fizz and Frosting
Laura B
So true! We learn and grow from them and they make us into a better person (I hope anyway)! I love this classic black and white combo on you!
The Real Arnolds
Love the asymmetrical skirt! I am into all things with fun hems. I am all about everything in this outfit. 20s are growing times.
Amy Ann
The Real Arnolds
Pamela {Sequins and Sea Breezes}
You are more than your mistakes but your mistakes are what help mold you. If that makes sense. I definitely don't think any one should be judged for their mistakes, no one is perfect, but without those mistakes you wouldn't know what you could have done different. I might not always be proud of them but they're apart of me and I've learned from them! And gorgeous outfit girl. Loving those booties!
<3, Pamela
Sequins & Sea Breezes
Shannon Jenkins
I agree! Mistakes make us who we are and it's how we grow! You look so beautiful! Obsessing over that asymmetrical skirt!
<3 Shannon
Upbeat Soles
Closet Fashionista
Loving the outfit, especially the boots.
And yep! Everyone makes mistakes and we are so easy to forgive others but need to learn to forgive ourselves too. I know I have many more mistakes ahead of me, ha ha…but that's life!
http://www.closet-fashionista.com/
Gold Coast Girl
Cute outfit! LOVE those shoes 🙂
~Samantha
http://goldcoastgirlblog.com/
Karly @ Miss in the Midwest
You are one of the most inspiring people that I know. Seriously. Great way to start the day today – I needed that reminder, as I'm sure several others did. Oh, and your outfit is pretty cute, too.
Jessica
You got that right, sista! Chin up this morning 🙂
26 and Not Counting
baublestobubbles.com
You always say things in the perfect way. Very motivating Monday words! PS- that asymmetrical skirt looks amazing on you!
Zelle B.
Such a great post! And loving your skirt!
xo Southern Style
Rachel Dinh
Great piece! No point in worrying over past mistakes. Time to keep it moving and be better.
http://www.racheldinh.com
Libby G.
This post came at the right time for me – I've been experiencing so much doubt in my decision making lately! Thanks for the great reminder and cheers to looking on the bright side 🙂
Libby
Stylin' Iowan Blog
skyscrapers + palm trees
This is so on point and so timely. Thank you for this (and ps that outfit omg).
-alex
skyscrapers & palm trees
Rachel
Making mistakes in your early 20s is impossible to avoid. I can swap stories with you if youre ever in the mood 😉
Anna Baun
Such a great message and one I could not agree more with! Thanks so much for continuing to share your honest thoughts and place in life! Hoping this Monday is equally fabulous for you as well! XO
Anna
alilyloveaffair.com
Allie
Beautiful 🙂 Such a perfect reminder
allienotsally.blogspot.com
Alyssa
Thanks for the solid dose of Monday Motivation! You and your fabulous outfit are the best! xx
Wishes & Reality
Truth! Thanks for this, there are days when we need to be reminded.
Heidi
http://www.wishesandreality.com
Claire
So pretty & feminine!
God bless,
XO, Claire
http://www.littlemissfashionqueen.blogspot.com
Head to Toe Chic
Love the message of your post!! That's something I need to remember. and I'm loving this black and white look!
xo,
Angela
Audrey Williams
Mistakes ca really hang over your head when they're fresh — this is a nice reminder that time passes and you don't even remember them. Thanks for sharing this Monday tidbit!
Audrey
http://www.lululinden.com
Kaley Margaret
Love the outfit and love this post! I struggle so much with dwelling on mistakes and all it does is hold me back!
xoxo
Kaley
My Closet Life Blog
Bree Aylwin
We all make mistakes and hopefully grow from them. We can't be to hard on ourselves – you are lookjng fabulous throhgh your learning experiences! I love your shoes!!!
Jackie G
We definitely all make mistakes, but even though it sucks to deal with "fixing" them, it's important to have these moments in life. I'm somewhat cleaning up a few mistakes of my own right now. It's a scary thing to do. I've come to realize that your twenties are waaaaaay more awkward than your teens, at least, for me.
Jackie
Something About That
Garaytreasures
Thanks for this beautiful post Alissa, it is so true and something I have to learn to do and forgive myself of daily or as I think on them. You look beautiful here by the way!
Rachel xo
Garay Treasures
Kelsey Bang
wow! your hair looks amazing in these photos! love those heels!
kelseybang.com
Erin Elizabeth
You look stunning, girl! 🙂 Love the black, white, and gold combo!
xo Erin
http://www.winkandatwirl.com
Elle Sees
absolute true advice and an absolute truly cute outfit! happy st pats!!
awhite
Amen, sister.
That skirt is the BUSINESS. Love it!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
SydneysFashionDiary.com
Love this simple B&W outfit. You look very chic as always =) Have a great day!
LyddieGal
I know how you feel. We all make mistakes. Sometimes we make tons of them and they are small enough to just forget about, and sometimes we make big ones. The only thing I know is that I have to own them. If I make a mistake at work, I admit it. If I accidentally break my mom's dish, I tell her. Covering things up to avoid dealing with them isn't healthy and is not a way to be more than them.
http://www.iamchiconthecheap.com
Shannon Rice
Great post. Ever since starting my job in the "real world" I've realized how much a mistake can affect me, the best thing you can do is own up to your mistake and move on. I don't struggle so much with the owning my mistakes part, I'm more than happy to admit it, but letting it go definitely takes more time. Annnnyways, loving the black and white combo here and the asymmetry of the skirt! You look gorgeous.
Shannon
Clothes & Quotes
Beautygirl 24
Beautiful words! I have been struggling with this a lot lately. In particular with my job. I like be helping the kids I work with, but I really regret getting into the whole psychology mental health field, because I have my own mental health issues. I should probably write about it but it's so hard and so personal. I often wish I had chosen another degree. But what can I do? Was it a mistake, or is it just part of our story?
nancy @ adore to adorn
well this is incredibly inspiring. It's so true. I also feel that people associates mistakes to be entirely negative. But, they can be positive. You touched upon it but we truly aren't able to grow unless mistakes are made. We can't understand what it means to be somewhere unless we go through a process. If we were all just "given" the successes we all strive for then what do we teach others? This doesn't mean the process or struggle is easy to deal with or that emotions aren't toyed with but, there is definitely a light at the end of the tunnel.
xo,
nancy
http://www.adoretoadorn.com
Pat
Hi sweetie. Isn't this true. We are never our mistakes, we should never be labeled as "the person did such an such a ____thing last week." A more effective to look at this is "oh, she really handled that well". Or maybe "wow I really messed that up. Must have been because of blah blah" blah (don't we wish we could all answer our problems away that lol <3 Why are we so hard on ourselves? Who are we explaining our selves away to? And should we even feell like we should have to Why are people so judgmental? Isn't "that mistake" how we grow? Aren't making mistakes how we mature, or aren't they a way we learn how to handle life's lesson. In stead of being so hard on ourselves or each other why do we have to be so mean? I hate to think the reason is survival of the fittest. Whatever happens I truly wish we as individuals, after making a mistake, would be more kind. I wish that people would realize there is more to life in general than tallying up the errors of our way! To all of who have treated me kindly and shown me I am an even a better person because of my mistakes, thank you!
Floortje van Cooten
You look great!
XX
http://www.floortjeloves.com
http://www.facebook.com/floortjeloves
Elegance and Mommyhood
I can totally relate to everything you wrote here. Thanks for being you – so open and beautiful. And you are ever-chic in black and white. I adore the top and bottom – so modern and crisp!
Happy Hump Day, Alissa!
Stylin' In St. Louis
You are always so open and incredibly honest and I love that! Love those booties!
xo,
Jacqueline
stylininstlouis.com
SimplyxClassic
Looking good!
LV
Definitely agree that we are more than our mistakes. I have actually learned more from my mistakes than my successes. Loving your assymetrical skirt. Such a great look on you.
http://foodfashionandflow.blogspot.com
Brooke
Love how you not only do a fashion post but really inspire people with your words. Love your insight, and your shoes lol!
xoxo
Brooke|LookBrooke
Nikki
I don't know how I missed this post, but I think it is amazing. Sometimes I forget that too. You are fabulous and you are SO SO SO much more than your mistakes.
Nikki
thefashionablewife.com
Wilfried
Very encouraging… I saw the video "The Secret" last week when I was in Yaoundé at my friend's apartment and it's an interesting message too…
I like the outfit tho and the shoes are just so gorgeous.
wilfriiiied.blogspot.com