There are two great ways to learn: 1.) learn from your own failures 2.) learn from the failures of others. While I of course admit that nothing makes you know yourself better than a good failure, there is also a great amount to be learned from truly observing other people when they fail. How it happened, how they reacted, what they did about it. You can learn how NOT to do something. It's why sometimes assholes, pushovers, and shitty people are great role models - role models for who NOT to be, and for how NOT to act. If you can't generate failure on your own (don't worry, that shoe will drop eventually, as it does for everyone), then look to the failures of others. It will never show you how you WILL be when you fail, but it can give you insight on how to best handle that situation.
Of course, of course. The reason I didn't point that out is because that's all I do already. With school and my parents and everything, I'm super duper happy and grateful that there's all this structure and curriculum for me to follow and go through, to learn and develop in a safe way! but at this point I'm starving for some experience of my own. This comment from ages ago comes to mind. It's freakin' true. What's the point of sneaking out of the house and getting caught-- which let's be honest is half the experience when you're looking back-- when my mom can just track me down with Find My iPhone? Come on man.While I of course admit that nothing makes you know yourself better than a good failure, there is also a great amount to be learned from truly observing other people when they fail. How it happened, how they reacted, what they did about it. You can learn how NOT to do something. It's why sometimes assholes, pushovers, and shitty people are great role models - role models for who NOT to be, and for how NOT to act.
then go make some experience, pablo. Go fail some shit. Can you run 3 miles? go try. Can you recite Walt Whitman's "Song of Myself" in its entirety? Speak it now. I only know you from your presence here, where you leave thought-provoking questions, and thoughtful comments. You're a smart guy with a good head on your shoulders. However, I feel as though, whether you admit it or not, the experiences you are looking for are happening right in front of you and you need to grasp them. If you are dissatisfied with your life experience, then you need to change it. It's obvious that rebellion is going to be difficult in the iPhone GPS era of life, but it IS possible if you decide to do it. Not that "rebellion" per se is even necessary. go join a school club of something you SUCK at. apply to things you KNOW you won't get into. What is the worst that can Happen
"I celebrate myself, and sing myself,
And what I assume you shall assume,
For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.
I loafe and invite my soul,
I lean and loafe at my ease observing a spear of summer grass. My tongue, every atom of my blood, form'd from this soil, this air,
Born here of parents born here from parents the same, and their
parents the same,
I, now thirty-seven years old in perfect health begin,
Hoping to cease not till death. Creeds and schools in abeyance,
Retiring back a while sufficed at what they are, but never forgotten,
I harbor for good or bad, I permit to speak at every hazard,
Nature without check with original energy. "