13/03/2026
Ever lie in bed at night replaying a tiny mistake from work?
The email you sent too quickly.
The sentence that came out wrong.
The detail you forgot.
The workday is over…
but your mind isn’t.
If this happens to you, you’re not the only one.
In counseling conversations, I meet many people who struggle with this. And interestingly, it usually doesn’t come from weakness.
It comes from caring.
You care about doing your job well.
You want to be responsible.
You hold yourself to a high standard.
But when those thoughts start stealing your sleep, confidence, or peace of mind, it might help to try a few small shifts.
Here are four simple ones I often suggest:
1️⃣ Change the sentence in your mind
Instead of: “I messed up.”
Try asking: “What can I learn from this?”
Even something small like “Next time I’ll double-check before sending” turns a mistake into growth.
2️⃣ Create a “worry window”
Give yourself 10 minutes a day to think about the mistake.
When the thought pops up during the day, gently tell yourself:
“I’ll think about this during my worry time.”
You’re not ignoring the feeling — you’re just giving it a place.
3️⃣ Tell one trusted person
Mistakes feel enormous when we carry them alone.
Often when you share them, the other person will say something like:
“Honestly? I’ve done the exact same thing.”
And suddenly the weight becomes smaller.
4️⃣ Ask your future self
“A year from now, will this still keep me awake at night?”
Most of the time, the answer is no.
And if it won’t matter then, maybe it doesn’t need to feel quite this big today.
💚 One more thing I hope you remember:
You are not your mistake.
You’re simply a person who is learning, growing, and trying your best.
And imperfect people deserve kindness —
especially from themselves.
Have you ever lost sleep over a small work mistake?
You’re welcome to share your experience.
You might be surprised how many people understand exactly how that feels.