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Even a dyed-in-the-wool perfectionist will tell you that we all make mistakes. Some are bigger than others, though, and if we don’t learn from them, we’re destined to make them again and again. This can obviously lead to a world of frustration.
Someone asked the internet, “What’s a mistake you’ll never make twice?” and an online community wasn’t shy to share the lessons they learned the hard way. Tuck into this collection of epic errors in judgment.
More info: Reddit
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#1
Lending money to a relative. They use your kindness to the point they expect you to just give it to them for free, since you're more financially stable.
David Paterson 2 weeks ago
Never lend money to a relative. Give it. If the money returns, good, but don't expect it to.
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#2
Trusting someone who already showed me their true colors.
Karl der Große 3 weeks ago
Some people are forgiving by nature, and it takes a long time to learn not to trust every apology.
#3
Mistaking what I thought was ice cream for a delicious scoop of frozen turkey fat.
UnclePanda 3 weeks ago
My first tofu experience put me off for decades because I was at a party, thought it was a chunk of cheese when I put it in my mouth, and then concluded it was that block of fat from a can of baked beans.
Mistakes have a funny way of reminding us we’re human; usually at the exact moment we most wish we weren’t. Whether it’s sending a risky text, trusting the wrong person, or trying “DIY bangs,” slip-ups are universal. Yet we treat them like personal disasters instead of life’s inevitable detours, forgetting they’re hardwired into how we grow.
Psychologists say we fear mistakes largely because they threaten the stories we tell about ourselves. We want to be competent, smart, in control, and mistakes feel like evidence we aren’t. That fear makes us hesitate, overthink, and spiral into imaginary disasters where everyone sees our flaws. Ironically, the fear itself usually causes bigger mess-ups than whatever we were scared of.
#4
Assuming someone is my friend just because they act like one.
My friend's girlfriend was really cool, I liked her. We hung out occasionally and she would call and invite me to do things. Granted, many of our plans got canceled, but she initiated most of our contact in that regard.
Three years pass, we talk often, especially on Instagram and fb. One day I loaded insta ans went to send something to her, but couldn't access her profile anymore. I'd been blocked. I was also blocked on every other social media site we were friends on.
I saw that she and my friend had broken up, but I figured she and I were close enough she'd want to stay in contact.
My friend later told me she'd never really liked me at all, hated me in fact.
That woman faked a 3 year friendship and hated me the whole time.
#5
Ignoring my gut when it says something isn't right in a relationship/friendship. My ex taught me that even the person I love most can lie to my face and I'll just accept it if I want it to be true.
#6
Not thoroughly washing my hands after eating hot-hot-hot wings and then goign to take a pee.
Biologically, the brain treats mistakes like tiny emergencies. The anterior cingulate cortex lights up, shouting, “Something’s wrong!” while the amygdala readies us for embarrassment or danger. This alarm system worked great when “mistake” meant “eat the wrong berry and it’s all over.” But today it kicks in even when we simply miscalculate a group chat joke.
Thankfully, the brain isn’t just a mistake siren; it’s also a mistake sponge. Each error triggers neural rewiring, updating predictions and sharpening skills. It’s why toddlers take hundreds of wobbly steps before walking and why adults eventually learn to mute themselves before ranting on Zoom. Mistakes literally sculpt our abilities.
#7
Being nice to those who don't deserve it.
#8
I thought this would be an easy one to answer, but thinking about it made me realize that I often make the same mistakes again. I do learn from them eventually, but yeah. Still hurts.
Anyway, one thing I will never do again after having experienced it one time: working too hard, thinking you can't be missed and telling yourself it's not too much, I can still meet the deadline. No! Slow down and discuss with your colleagues if they feel the same pressure. Work is important, but not 'destroy your mind and body due to stress'-important.
One key take away is: if you're working extra hours to meet a deadline and your family senses a bit more stress in your behaviour. Don't deny it. Talk about it and do something about it.
Chich the witch 2 weeks ago
Work will use you and happily toss you aside. When young I would come in early leave late and even go in on some weekends. Extra workload? guess who gets it because I was a "get it done" kind of guy. Then a few things happened. Re-org and I had to bid on my own job while others didn't. Won it and I was 10 min late coming in one day and was spoken too', although I had been staying an hour late all week. My day went from 0900 t0 1700. Period.
#9
Having an extended sober streak and then thinking I can moderate and have “just a few” 🤣😶.
Culturally, though, many of us were raised to treat mistakes like final judgments instead of temporary states. At school, errors meant red pens and sinking stomachs. At work, they meant performance reviews and panic. By adulthood, we’ve learned to hide them instead of using them, which is exactly what you don’t want to do.
Not all mistakes are cute little growth opportunities, though. Some are “never again” moments that hit with the force of a thousand reality checks. These are the ones that empty your wallet, break your heart, or damage your ego so severely that your soul holds a small internal meeting and unanimously votes to never repeat that chaos.
#10
Loaning a close friend money.
Lady Eowyn 2 weeks ago
Loaning anyone money. Always assume a "loan" will turn into a gift, and don't give money unless you can afford to lose it.
#11
Accidentally grabbing a live wire when renovating my flat.
Hugo 3 weeks ago
I did that while investigating a fault in the amplifier. One hand on a live terminal, the other on the chassis, so Goodness knows how much current went through my heart. Only for an instant, though: there was a loud bang as the cut-out tripped. With an old-fashioned fuse box I would have died. I was shaking for an hour afterwards: now I know why they call it electric shock.
#12
Thinking that by loving a person enough everything will be fine.
These unforgettable mistakes stand out because of their emotional intensity. Strong emotions etch memories deeper, making the brain replay the event like a horror movie. You feel the sting, shame, relief, or regret so vividly that, even years later, the mere thought of repeating it sends your whole nervous system into a full-body “nope.”
Yet these painful mistakes often become our most effective teachers. They shape boundaries, build character, and help us recognize danger faster than any advice ever could. You learn who deserves trust, what your limits are, and how to protect yourself. They’re brutal professors, but their lessons tend to stick, especially when delivered with maximum emotional drama.
#13
Letting my guard down too fast. happened in my first relationship and ended up regretting how open i was only to be treated bad. next time i’m gonna wait longer.
#14
Staying in an unfulfilling, painful relationship just so i don't have to be alone.
Lady Eowyn 2 weeks ago
Being alone can be quite nice. Peaceful, in fact. Too many people are, I believe, afraid to be alone. It's not the same thing as being lonely.
#15
In any situation that involves an agreement between people - LAWYER UP
Went through a divorce, I thought it was amicable until I got the court documents through and have been financially and situationally messed over for the rest of my life.
In the end, mistakes aren’t signs of failure; they’re proof we’re still trying. They embarrass, surprise, and occasionally demolish us, but they also deepen our wisdom and resilience. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s learning faster than we crash. And if a mistake is bad enough to swear off forever? Congratulations, you’ve probably learned exactly what you needed to.
Have you ever made a mistake you swear up and down you’ll never make again? What do you think of the examples in this list? Upvote the ones you found most relatable, and don’t forget to leave a comment if the urge grabs you!
#16
Accepting a proposal i didn't want, without any warning and in front of 100 people.
#17
Childbirth.
#18
Staying in a company that undervalues or underpays because you like your colleagues.
#20
Sleeping with a co worker in secret. Never again.
UnclePanda 3 weeks ago
"Three things cannot be hidden - smoke from a fire, a human crossing an open desert, and love between two people." ~ Old Bedouin saying
#23
Having expectation from others. I've set my bar really low so I wouldn't be disappointed that much.
Michael Largey 2 weeks ago
Whatever the subject, that's the lesson taught by any group project.
#24
Taking steroids, yeah I got a bit bigger but then as soon as I had an unhealthy meal my feet and legs swelled up like there was no tomorrow, I could push my finger into the top of my foot and there was still an indent a minute later, my legs were melting over the top of my socks, it was gross.
Chich the witch 2 weeks ago
Never saw the point in having bulging muscles. I was sent to Jump school in my wayward youth. Arrived in barracks a day before the training and there were a few of the Arnie Schwarzenegger types. Figured my 150lb scrawny a*s hadn't a chance. They were all gone the fist day. No stamina. One instructor told one to apply again when he lost all the useless weight.
#25
I have been scammed here and never send money to anyone here again.
Green Machine 2 weeks ago
Is 'here' being Nigeria? I've gotten a few emails from their princes.
#26
Letting someone convince me to disregard my health problems so I can cook, clean and shop for them, while they themselves are fully capable and talk nonsense behind my back about me being lazy, just because I didn't have a job (and still had to pay an equal share of expenses).
Stardust she/her 2 weeks ago
My entire family were sick for different reasons for a month this year yet dad would yell at me to run around and do frankly unecessary things even though I had a painful infection that didn’t allow me to walk or sit in peace. When mum tried standing up for me he just dismissed her saying that I was being lazy and needed to learn
#27
Not looking down before picking a chip I thought I dropped up off of my lap. I did that once and it turned out to be a beetle 🤢.
#28
Giving more then the required time for quitting. I gave a months notice to try and help everyone in the office out, got my hours cut drastically.
#29
Trying to make friend forcefully and trying to ne nice to everyone..
Thw world really doesn't deserve this.
Zig Zag Wanderer 2 weeks ago
🎶But it's all right now I learned my lesson well You see, you can't please everyone So you got to please yourself🎶
#30
Dating an avoidant.
#31
Trust people who don't deserve.
David Paterson 2 weeks ago
Always trust. Innocent until proved guilty. Trust is a two way street, if you don't trust them then they won't trust you.
What do you think ?
KatSaidThat 2 weeks ago
Drinking shots with a guy I had already put firm boundaries up with more than once. Woke up to a c****m wrapper next to my bed. Moved 7 zones away shortly after.
TACO Don's Authentic TexMex 2 weeks ago (edited)
Drùgs and alcohol. Picking the wrong college major and missing getting in on the Permian Basin oil boom before the industry collapsed. Working for the paving company and blowing my back up. Having a stroke at age 36. Dating a student at the university while I was student teaching
Upstaged75 2 weeks ago
I was on vacation with some friends and one night this guy went in to the kitchen for a bottle of water. Except he didn't bother to turn on the light and didn't really look at what he had grabbed - which turned out to be a bottle of white vinegar. 😂😂 The noises he made after he took a huge swig of it had us all laughing for hours.
nicholas nolan 2 weeks ago
No, she wasn't on birth control. Not even a little bit. I hope that in most alternate realities, 19 year old me dies in a fire. That stupid a*****e.
TACO Don's Authentic TexMex 2 weeks ago
Never. Never without a c****m and never inside.
Load More Replies... KatSaidThat 2 weeks ago
Drinking shots with a guy I had already put firm boundaries up with more than once. Woke up to a c****m wrapper next to my bed. Moved 7 zones away shortly after.
TACO Don's Authentic TexMex 2 weeks ago (edited)
Drùgs and alcohol. Picking the wrong college major and missing getting in on the Permian Basin oil boom before the industry collapsed. Working for the paving company and blowing my back up. Having a stroke at age 36. Dating a student at the university while I was student teaching
Upstaged75 2 weeks ago
I was on vacation with some friends and one night this guy went in to the kitchen for a bottle of water. Except he didn't bother to turn on the light and didn't really look at what he had grabbed - which turned out to be a bottle of white vinegar. 😂😂 The noises he made after he took a huge swig of it had us all laughing for hours.
nicholas nolan 2 weeks ago
No, she wasn't on birth control. Not even a little bit. I hope that in most alternate realities, 19 year old me dies in a fire. That stupid a*****e.
TACO Don's Authentic TexMex 2 weeks ago
Never. Never without a c****m and never inside.
Load More Replies...
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