Why Failing Can Be the Most Fun You’ve Had

I remember the first time I tried snorkeling. The thought of floating above the huge, mysterious ocean, with who knows what swimming around me, scared me out of my mind. But there I was, struggling to breathe properly through my mask, accidentally gulping down seawater and holding onto my friend for dear life. It definitely wasn't graceful or impressive. But surprisingly, it was a lot of fun.

We often shy away from things we're not naturally good at. We tend to hold back from painting because we think we're not artists, from dancing because we can't move like professionals, or from singing because we don't sound like Beyoncé. There seems to be this unspoken rule that if we're not instantly good at something, we shouldn't even try. But what if we changed that? What if we allowed ourselves to do things badly but just for the fun of it?

At some point, we started believing that our hobbies and activities need to be evaluated like a job performance. It could be because of social media, where everyone posts their beautifully decorated cakes, perfect handwriting, and impressive DIY projects that look like they belong in a magazine. Or maybe it's just how we've been raised to aim for success in everything we do. Whatever the cause, there's this pressure that if you're going to do something, you have to be really good at it.

But this way of thinking can really take the joy out of things. It turns hobbies into chores and makes learning feel like a competition. If we only focus on what we're already good at, we miss out on so many amazing experiences. Just think about it: if kids had this mindset, no toddler would ever learn to walk because they'd be too scared of falling down.

There's a strange kind of joy that comes from not being good at something. Think about karaoke nights where no one can hit the right notes, yet everyone is having a blast. Or those hilarious paintings that come from a sip-and-paint class; completely awful, but bursting with character.

When you let go of the pressure to be perfect, you can really enjoy trying new things. You can dance badly and just laugh it off. You can create something that looks nothing like what it's supposed to be and still feel a sense of pride. You can run a marathon and be the slowest runner but still have the most fun. The joy of the experience is what really counts, not the final result.

Sometimes, the things we shy away from aren't just simple pastimes, they're things that intimidate us. Activities like public speaking, trying out a new sport, learning a new language, or traveling alone can seem really daunting because we worry about embarrassing ourselves. 

However, the only way to overcome that fear is to dive in and do it anyway.

Take my snorkeling adventure, for example. Was I great at it? Not at all. But once I got past the thought of a sea creature eating me, I began to let myself enjoy the feeling of floating. I let myself be in awe with the way the sunlight danced on the water and the amazing sight of vibrant fish swimming all around me. If I had waited until I felt "ready" or "skilled," I would have missed out on that incredible experience.

Letting go of the need to be perfect can feel liberating. When you start trying new activities without stressing about whether you'll succeed, you become more resilient. You realize that failing isn't the worst thing ever; it's just a part of learning.

Experts say that pushing yourself out of your comfort zone in small ways, like joining a dance class or picking up a new hobby, can help you tackle bigger challenges later on. It changes how your brain views failure, turning it into an opportunity for growth instead of a setback. Plus, doing things just for the fun of it is a great way to reduce stress and reconnect with who you are.

Have you ever thought about something you've been avoiding because you're scared you won't excel at it? Whatever it is, I dare you to give it a shot—without stressing over being amazing.

Do it horribly and laugh it off, but keep going. The reality is you don't need to be good at it to have fun with something. And who knows? You might end up surprising yourself in the process.

Strike Out,

Jessica Harris 

Boca Raton

Jessica Harris is a Content Writer for Strike Magazine Boca. As a proud introvert, she is described to be quiet but always up for challenges to get her out of her shell.  When not overworking herself with school and work, she's nose deep in a book on her balcony, sobbing over Kdramas or constantly writing in hopes of publishing a book. You can reach her at jessicaharris777@gmail.com.