Dan, no matter how hard I try I just keep disappointing people who trust me and get hurt. How do I stop doing that? They don't deserve it.
If you've done your best, you've done it all. You literally can't do more than that.
As for disappointing and others -- so what? If you did your best and fell short of the mark, then it's the level of expectation that was incorrect. Adjust expectations.
As for getting hurt, don't put yourself at the center of everyone else's universe and others at the center of yours. To other people, you're just one interest amongst countless others. At least, that's the way it should be. When your star wavers, it's not like the whole sky falls. You should have many stars in your sky, too.
As for others not deserving it and (presumably) wanting to protect them from the pain of your failures... Do what you think is important and right to do, and let the chips fall as they may. The sad fact is that we will all go through this life hurting others and being hurt. We should have enough respect for others to give the freedom to decide for themselves how to deal with that pain. Don't put yourself in a cage to protect others. Don't put others in a cage to protect them. Just turn your interests to the important things -- the pain might not go away, but it's just not as important.
Well, that's the way I see things. Sorry if that's much in the way of practical advice...
Cakeluck, anon.
As for disappointing and others -- so what? If you did your best and fell short of the mark, then it's the level of expectation that was incorrect. Adjust expectations.
As for getting hurt, don't put yourself at the center of everyone else's universe and others at the center of yours. To other people, you're just one interest amongst countless others. At least, that's the way it should be. When your star wavers, it's not like the whole sky falls. You should have many stars in your sky, too.
As for others not deserving it and (presumably) wanting to protect them from the pain of your failures... Do what you think is important and right to do, and let the chips fall as they may. The sad fact is that we will all go through this life hurting others and being hurt. We should have enough respect for others to give the freedom to decide for themselves how to deal with that pain. Don't put yourself in a cage to protect others. Don't put others in a cage to protect them. Just turn your interests to the important things -- the pain might not go away, but it's just not as important.
Well, that's the way I see things. Sorry if that's much in the way of practical advice...
Cakeluck, anon.