We learn something new every day. And often, it’s not textbooks but experience that turns out to be the best teacher. Some of the most important life lessons come when we least expect them. Wrapped up in a layer of chaos, a touch of embarrassment and a tale we’ll be telling our grandkids one day.
Whether it’s the messy mistake of putting an egg in the microwave, or the foamy flood that occurred when we used handwashing detergent in the machine instead of automatic powder. Maybe it’s the very costly error of not leaving the car parked in gear on a very steep incline. Whatever the lesson, it’s likely to be one you won’t forget anytime soon.
Bored Panda has put together a list of times people learned something new and unexpected in the most hilarious way. Some are cringeworthy, others could have you crying with laughter. A few may even make you sheepishly whisper, “What? You too?” They’re all reminders that some things just can’t be taught in school. And often, it’s the bad decisions that make the best stories.
#1 Thank You For Taking My Old And Damaged TV, My Strategy Of Packing Well Worked
Image credits: MintedVibez
Some of life’s toughest lessons aren’t taught in class but by the giant mistakes we make along the way in the School of Hard Knocks. Some blunders are silly, laughable or cringeworthy. Others can be costly and even dangerous. Either way, they teach us something, provided we are open to learning the lesson.
Mistakes are a part of life, whether we like them or not. And they’re not all bad. “The key is to acknowledge when you make a mistake, learn from it and move on — to understand that failure and mistakes are opportunities for learning, feedback and even creativity,” explains Forbes magazine.
#2 Farted Near My Friends Smart Thermostat
I tried to pass gas descretely by walking out of my buddies living room and farting. I didn’t realize his thermostat tested air quality. He got a notice on his phone telling him to change the filters. I confessed it was me…
Image credits: 6854wiggles
#3 My Niece Discovered The Cat Door Today
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Embracing your mistakes might sound easier said than done. But it is possible… According to leadership coach Dede Henley. The first step, says the expert, is to name it, learn something and move on. She says as long as you learn from your mistakes and don’t repeat them, you’re on the right track.
“Think back to some of the ‘failures’ you’ve had in the past. Didn’t you learn a lot? Can you apply what you’ve learned in this current situation?” writes Henley. “Although, to truly learn, you may need some distance from the big emotions of a failure to be able to think and see straight.”
#4 Learned How To Say “Hi” In Mandarin
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#5 How I Discovered My Wife And Her Coworkers Were In A Fitbit Activity Contest
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#6 When I Was 12, I Was Attacked By A Howler Monkey In Costa Rica. My Dad Runs A Tour And Travel Company Down There, And I Found This Postcard On His Rack
Photo of a young me learning a hard lesson – “Do not feed the animals”.
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Henley adds that you should be aware of defensiveness. “Defensiveness is a natural but sure sign of a closed mind in the wake of a mistake, and a closed mind isn’t going to help you learn anything,” she warns.
The expert’s advice is to notice when you feel defensive and take a breath. Then ask yourself: “What are you trying to defend?” “What are you afraid will or won’t happen?”
#7 So… I Recently Discovered My Dog Likes Carrots
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#8 My Husband And I Discovered You Can Get Photo Shower Curtains
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#9 Woke Up And Discovered My Wife Moved Our Coat Stand Yesterday
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It also helps to laugh it off. “Humor can help reduce stress, improve your mood and enhance your performance. Humor helps you bond with others who might share your frustrations and circumstances,” Henley explains.
Though she says you may have to distract yourself from the problem at hand in order to find the funny in it… and that’s okay. Obsessing over your mistake isn’t helpful and won’t change the situation.
#10 Today My Husband Discovered It Is Possible To Recline The Reclining Chair Too Far
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#11 Hubby Has Two Back To Back Work Trips, And Wanted To Take His Bike Out The Few Days He Was Home In Between. MBTA Has Other Ideas
Lesson learned, cover up your fun stuff unless you want kids. We’re awaiting the arrival of our little feathered quadruplets soon.
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#12 Just For Your Information This Does Not Say “Colgate”. I Learned This The Hard Way This Morning
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#13 I Bought This Leather Flyswatter Last Summer, And It Works Great. But I Just Realized, Am I Giving Guests The Wrong Impression With It Hanging In My House?
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#14 These Dudes Are About To Learn An Important Physics Lesson The Hard Way
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#15 Lesson Learned: Kitties And Blinds Are Not A Good Combo
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#16 Had To Stop And Take A Take On This Vans’ Instagram Contact Info
Walked past this van whilst on holiday. A casual, quick glance at the Instagram info made me stop and re-read what I’d just seen.
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#17 His Pub Took It Upon Themselves To Help Octogenarians Master The Art Of Reading The Fine Print
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#18 25 Years Later. My Mom Found My Home-Made Stash Book
Carefully hidden inside this Guinness Book of Records were a Zippo lighter and a pack of Marlboro Reds.
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#19 This Is How I Make Permanent Life Choices, Unfortunately
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#20 3rd Grade Proverbs
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#21 After Ripping Out My Front Door, I Learn There Are Different Sizes For Doors
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#22 Lesson Learned – Don’t Trust Just Any Tourist To Take Your Photo
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#23 The Importance Of Proofreading. Never Seen A Restaurant Closed Because Of This
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#24 Why Men Shouldn’t Do Advice Columns
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#25 I’m At IKEA Right Now And All The Toilets In The Bathroom Displays Are Shut So Nobody Can Take A Dump In Them. They Must’ve Learned That Lesson The Hard Way
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#26 Life Has A Way Of Guiding You To Where You’re Meant To Be
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#27 So My Mouse Wasn’t Working. Tech Support Discovered I’d Been “Caged”
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#28 Accidentally Washed A Wool Sweater In Hot Water. This Was Surprisingly Pre-Dryer Too
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#29 Do They Work For Child’s Rooms?
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#30 My Boss Needs To Learn To Lock His Truck
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#31 Possibly The Best Way To Let A Mom Know She’s Been Glued To Her Phone A Bit Too Often
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#32 After Most Of My Son’s Socks Went Missing, My Wife Discovered Sock Heaven
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#33 Stole One Of These Candies From My Kid’s Christmas Stash, Learned The Hard Way They’re Actually Individually Wrapped Soaps
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#34 You Live And You Learn
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#35 Growing Up Sucks. My Sister Learned The Hard Way
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#36 Found In The Bathroom At Work. Someone Learned A Very Hard Lesson
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#37 She Learned A Lesson Here – Lily Pads Aren’t As Strong As They Look
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#38 This Wife Quickly Found Out Why You Should Never Leave Your Phone Unlocked Near Your Husband
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#39 After Owning Them For 3 Days, I Learned Why Nobody Wears White Shoes In The Countryside
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#40 Roommate Learned A Valuable Lesson Today
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#41 Phrasing
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#42 What Would You Do If You Discovered Your Wife Is The Workplace Pen Thief?
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#43 I Learned My Lesson About Taking A Razor To My Eyebrows. Big Oof
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#44 Learned 2 Things While Sitting Out In The Oh So Rare Irish Sun
1) I need to lose some weight and
2) If you slouch forward, your chest will hang in such a way as to give you a thing white bra on your sunburned torso…
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#45 This Guy Is About To Find Out Why Grammar Really Does Matter
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#46 There Is A Good Reason Two-Story Outhouses Never Caught On
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#47 Kayaked 17 Miles Today, Learned A Lesson About Pain, Suffering And The Importance Of Sunscreen
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#48 The Time My Little Sister Lied And Said There Was No School And To Prove It, Her Teacher Gave Her A Note
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#49 My Son Learned A Valuable Lesson At This Birthday Party About Reading Labels
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#50 Someone In My Office Learned The Hard Way
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