Healthy Ways to Cope With Failure There are many reasons why you might be feeling like a failure. Some factors that might play a role include: A sense of hopelessness Anxiety Feelings of helplessness Lack of supportive relationships Low self-esteem Making comparisons with others Poor self-concept Negative self-talk Unrealistic expectations Embrace Your Emotions Recognize Unhealthy Attempts to Reduce Pain Practice Healthy Coping Skills Acknowledge Irrational Beliefs About Failure Develop Realistic Thoughts About Failure Accept an Appropriate Level of Responsibility Research Famous Failures Ask Yourself What You Can Learn Create a Plan for Moving Forward