# Do you learn from your mistakes? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 5, 2011, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-learn-from-your-mistakes/591604 "2011-08-05T15:41:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Danger\_Man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6de8d8/32.png) [@Danger\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danger_Man)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2011, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-learn-from-your-mistakes/591604/1 "2011-08-05T15:41:46Z")
A few questions inspired by the thread about what you regret in life. Looking back, what mistakes have you learned from and what mistakes do you do over and over again? Ever made the same mistake for a long time and then suddenly learned from it? ---
**Author:** ![shiftless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9c0ed/32.png) [@shiftless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shiftless)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2011, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-learn-from-your-mistakes/591604/2 "2011-08-05T16:29:02Z")
What mistakes? Who have you been talking to? Whoever they are, they are mistaken and I hope they learn something. ---
**Author:** ![papergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/aca169/32.png) [@papergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/papergirl)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2011, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-learn-from-your-mistakes/591604/3 "2011-08-05T21:50:05Z")
I married a man who I believed was moody and sometimes depressed. In actuality, he was emotionally abusive–it just took me a really long time to recognize it and then to be able to admit it. Now I’m very (perhaps overly) vigilant about controlling behaviors and boundary issues with men. The mistake I make most often, even after years of experience: Not being able to follow a realistic budget and ending up slightly in the hole every month. It’s somewhat disheartening, but as an eternal optimist, I just keep looking ahead and saying next month will be better! That’s probably the toughest issue I deal with, and I’m sure I’m not alone…most of my friends are in the same boat. Just a little too much month for the money. ---
**Author:** ![Covered\_In\_Bees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ab992/32.png) [@Covered\_In\_Bees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covered_In_Bees)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2011, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-learn-from-your-mistakes/591604/4 "2011-08-05T21:50:50Z")
I’m young and don’t make mistakes. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2011, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-learn-from-your-mistakes/591604/5 "2011-08-06T00:36:12Z")
Driving after I’ve had too much to drink. ---
**Author:** ![YaraMateo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/58f4c7/32.png) [@YaraMateo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YaraMateo)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2011, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-learn-from-your-mistakes/591604/6 "2011-08-06T00:54:06Z")
The mistake I keep making (and can’t learn from) is using my emotions instead of logic. Looking back, I always say I wish I would have known X or not used my heart when making said choice. I’m an optimist also. So, I think sometimes I’m too good at spinning things. I also think sometimes, I look for meaning in things when there is none. Also, I don’t know when to move on. I know these things, but I don’t really learn from them. So, sometimes I make choices that are too bold and stick with them for too long. Only see it after it’s too late. I learn much better from other’s mistakes. I’ve told my mother (who’s mistakes were the worst and I learn from the most) I feel I’ve been living the life she always wanted. So, in short, no I don’t really learn from my mistakes. ---
**Author:** ![Crawlspace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Crawlspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crawlspace)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2011, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-learn-from-your-mistakes/591604/7 "2011-08-06T01:46:48Z")
I quit medical school . . . twice. I think that would count.