As someone who tries to please people, I have always been in love with the concept of constant perfection and excellence in everything I do. I've always nailed my math and science subjects in Basic Education, but when I went to college, I didn't realize how much I didn't know and how unprepared I am to know them. I especially learned that doing laboratory work in my classes would question my self-worth a lot of times, and I keep getting failing marks. I have been a goal-getter, and experiencing even a small bump in the road has always been a huge trigger of self-pity. It's a feeling I despite a lot.

Now, after many disappointments and failures that passed by me, I feel a certain sense of numbness. The anxiety is lesser and I have the drive to move forward and actually make results rather than wallow on my self-worth is. I think all my failing experiences allowed me to have a healthier mindset, especially as a teacher and as a science person.

It takes a lot of humility to have actually grown. In fact, I never view it as "failure" anymore. I believe there are just two things: success and opportunities for growth.