Did you know I played piano from age 6 to 14? I made it to RCM Level 8 before I quit—a decision that marked the end of one of the most challenging and formative experiences of my life.

Like many others raised under cultural and societal expectations, learning music wasn’t about passion but discipline. As a child with an undiagnosed learning disorder, I struggled with motor coordination and unknowingly navigated symptoms of ADHD, ASD, and anxiety. Sight-reading was manageable, but coordinating two hands to play independently? Nearly impossible. You can see that even after 25 years, it is still extremely difficult for my brain to tell my hands to do two different tasks at the same time.

Mistakes weren’t treated as opportunities to grow—they were punished with physical and emotional abuse. Fear of failure consumed me, and for years, I avoided trying new things unless I could be good at them immediately.

Fast forward to today: I’m in a new chapter of my life, one where I’m consciously unlearning the perfectionism and fear that held me back. I’m relearning things I thought I couldn’t do—like piano. This time, I’m embracing mistakes as part of the process, not a reflection of my worth.

This journey has taught me a valuable lesson: in work and life, we’re all learning. Mistakes don’t define us—our resilience and willingness to try again do.

As professionals, we often strive for perfection, forgetting that growth comes from embracing the uncomfortable. Whether it’s learning a new skill, tackling a tough challenge, or stepping out of your comfort zone, I hope this serves as a reminder to be kind to yourself. Somewhere, there’s a little version of yourself who missed out on joy because of fear. Give them a chance to heal. Life’s too short not to rediscover the things that bring you joy.

Maybe I’ll get ‘Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy’ by Christmas, but I’m fine if I don’t. Healing isn’t about getting it right—it’s about giving yourself permission to try.