My supervisor once told me, “Vanessa, please, it’s okay to make mistakes.” It sounded so simple. But, as someone who likes to analyze everything, I found myself trying to figure out why he said that to me. What did he notice? What did he mean, really? As I sat down to write this short piece, I have been reflecting on those words. Lately, I have had to laugh at myself, really laugh, to give myself grace. I have caught myself in some silly situations where I have thought: My oh my oh my… what was that, like… why did I just say?!

These are the moments of adulthood that no one warns you about. The ones where you find yourself thinking:
“Why didn’t I understand that better?”
“Why did I act like that?”
“Why didn’t I know better?”

The reality is, we’re going to mess up. Mistakes are inevitable. But that’s okay. You have to give yourself room to make them, because that’s how you grow. That’s how you learn more about yourself. And honestly? That’s the beauty of living: Give Yourself Grace.

In every situation, good or bad, there’s something we can learn about ourselves, consciously or unconsciously. I overanalyze all the time, trying to make sense of everything, but it gets draining. So I am learning to let go. I am learning that it’s okay to make mistakes as an adult.

Notes from a life unapologetically lived.

PS: I love living in the city, and the accessibility of riding the subway. I appreciate being in a place where I get to see people from all walks of life every day. Sure, I definitely want to own a car someday, cruise through the streets with my music blasting, but there’s something grounding about taking the train. It keeps me in sync with reality.