Everybody Makes a Wrong Turn Once in a While

I recently heard the simple phrase, “Everybody makes a wrong turn once in a while,” and it immediately struck me how quickly we can jump to judgment—of ourselves and of each other.

We live in a culture that often demands perfection. When we or someone else inevitably messes up, our first instinct is often judgment, shame, or criticism.

But this little phrase offers a different, more generous perspective. It reminds us that a “wrong turn” is simply part of the human experience. It’s a metaphor for a bad choice, a professional misstep, a poor relationship decision, or just a day where we got it wrong.

The Power of a Gentle Phrase

Here are the key shifts in perspective this phrase offers:

Normalizing Mistakes: This phrase emphasizes that making errors is a universal part of life. No one is perfect, and everyone occasionally goes off the “correct” path. It’s a feature of being human, not a fatal flaw.

Offering Comfort and Reassurance: We often use this to console someone feeling guilty or embarrassed. By framing the error as a common occurrence (“everybody does it”), we alleviate self-blame and help them feel less alone in their failure.

Encouraging Forgiveness: It subtly advocates for self-forgiveness and for others to be understanding. A single mistake should not define a person’s entire character. We all deserve a second chance, or a chance to re-route.

Promoting a Growth Mindset: The underlying message is that a mistake isn’t a final destination, but a temporary deviation. It encourages resilience and the understanding that we can learn from the experience and adjust our course moving forward.

Moving Beyond Judgment

Casting judgment—whether inward or outward—only locks our focus onto the problem. It keeps us stuck replaying the “wrong turn” instead of looking for the solution.

The key isn’t to pretend the mistake didn’t happen. The key is to shift our energy: acknowledge the detour, learn what we can from the new scenery, and focus on moving forward and improving.

We can choose compassion over criticism. We can choose learning over labeling.

So the next time you find yourself stuck in judgment—either of a colleague who missed a deadline, a loved one who messed up, or yourself for making a poor choice—remember:

Everybody makes a wrong turn once in a while.

Offer grace, find the lesson, and get back on track.

Hi. I’m Carla Hale.

I coach individuals in transition to identify core values, create life purpose, and define success for themselves, through clarity, intention, and aligned action. If you are ready to live the life you’ve always wanted, let’s connect.