How to Recover From Messing Up

"Many mess-ups relate to loss: the bowl we drop and break, the airline miles we accidentally let expire, the job interview we worked hard to get, then blunder. We know from research on loss aversion that losing something we had already acquired stings intensely, even though these losses pale in comparison to opportunities we never pursue. This insight can help you see that there are many ways to counter a loss."

"The job interview where you said the wrong thing is one lost path, but there are many more opportunities you've never applied for. The photos you lost on the memory card are dwarfed by the photos you haven't taken. You broke a nice bowl, but there are beautiful bowls you've never purchased or even looked for. 2. Enact a Routine You're Competent At After a mess-up, go do something you're competent at. A familiar routine reminds you that there's plenty you manage well,"

Preventable mistakes often feel intensely painful because of loss aversion, yet these losses are small compared with the many opportunities never pursued. Comparing a specific loss to the larger set of unrealized options can reduce its sting and reveal paths forward. After a mistake, engaging in a familiar, competency-based routine interrupts rumination, restores steadiness, and reminds you of tasks handled well. Actively cataloging successes prevents overgeneralizing failure across areas. Simple practical actions—maintenance tasks, appointments, or administrative chores—help rebuild confidence and create momentum toward psychological recovery.

Read at Psychology Today