CwC - Mistakes Don’t Define You But How You Handle Them Does
Own It Anyway
We’ve all been there. You hit “reply all” on an email that should’ve been private. You shrunk your friend’s favorite sweater in the dryer. You said something you wish you could unsay, or maybe you made a decision that came back to bite you—HARD.
Mistakes come in all shapes and sizes, but one truth remains: you’re going to make them. The real question is—what are you going to do about it when human nature is to deflect and blame others? Let me give you a hint: pretending it didn’t happen is not a great option. Blaming someone else? That’s not it either. But you already know that. What takes guts, growth, and a double shot of courage is this: owning it. Big mistake or tiny oops, there’s power in stepping up and saying, “Yeah…that one’s on me.” It doesn’t mean you’re weak. It means you’re real. It means you care more about being honest than being perfect.
And here’s the secret: most people aren’t looking for flawless humans. They’re looking for the kind who mess up, clean up, and keep going. It’s humbling. It’s human. And it’s how you build trust—with others and yourself. So whether you dropped the ball, missed the mark, or flat-out blew it:
-Take a breath
-Say the words
-Fix what you can
-Apologize if needed
And then? Move forward like someone who learned something.
Hard? Sure. Embarrassing? A little. Necessary? Absolutely. Owning your mistakes—big, small, or wildly catastrophic—doesn’t make you a failure. It makes you accountable, trustworthy, and way more tolerable to be around. Also, let’s be real: you’re not fooling anyone by acting like it wasn’t your fault. We saw you. We heard you. We read the typo-riddled email. So do yourself a favor. Clean it up, learn the lesson, and move on. Better yet, laugh about it. The best stories start with, “You’re not gonna believe what I did…
Mess up. Fess up.
Own it anyway.
love, kate
More Information:
Atelophobia is an obsessive fear of imperfection. Someone with this condition is terrified of making mistakes. They tend to avoid any situation where they feel they won't succeed.
What are the symptoms of atelophobia?
Atelophobia can cause a wide range of psychological and physical symptoms. People with a fear of imperfection may exhibit: Anger or irritability. Burnout or fatigue. Depression or sadness. Emotional detachment from others. Inability to accept criticism. Inability to concentrate on anything apart from their fear. Pessimism (negative outlook on life).
Atelophobia can also cause panic attacks, which may lead to: Chills. Dizziness and lightheadedness. Excessive sweating. Heart palpitations. Nausea. Shortness of breath (dyspnea).Trembling or shaking. Upset stomach or indigestion (dyspepsia).
(SOURCE: Cleveland Clinic)
A little bit of humor: I once sent a text complaining about someone…to the person I was complaining about. I stared at my phone like it might apologize for me. It did not. So I did the only reasonable thing: put the phone down, paced the room, reconsidered every life choice I’ve ever made, then finally owned it with a casual, “Well… that was meant for someone else.” Silence. Growth happened.
Own Your Mistake. Do You. Do It Anyway.
A Little About Me
Hi, I’m Kate—writer, encourager, coffee sipper, and cupcake enthusiast. I started Cupcakes with Coffee as a form of therapy. For a long time, I lived in survival mode—pushing through, people-pleasing, and carrying weight that wasn’t mine to carry. Writing became the place where I could finally set it all down. And focus on my two favorite passions—coffee and cupcakes.
My blog is my way of turning pain into purpose. It’s my apology to myself for settling for less than I deserved, and my reminder to anyone reading that you don’t have to have it all together to move forward—you just have to do it anyway.
I wanted to create a space that felt real. A place where the messy parts of life could sit right alongside the cozy, the funny, and the motivating. Because that’s how life actually is—a mix of hard truths and small joys. That’s why I started this website and more importantly this blog: to write through it, to share it, and maybe, to help someone else feel a little less alone while they figure it out too.
So pull up a chair, grab some coffee and a cupcake, and stay awhile.
love, kate