Vervewell’s Jason Leito, LPC shines a light on the opportunity that shows up each time we may backtrack…and we all backtrack.
Have you ever felt like you were finally making progress, only to feel like you slipped back to square one? Trust me when I tell you that progress isn’t always linear and healing is often messy.
It can be one of the most discouraging parts of growth, the belief that if we are not moving forward in a straight line then we must be failing. The truth is that real progress almost never looks that way.
Healing, change, and personal growth are messy. They include starts and stops, ups and downs, and moments that feel like backtracking. Those moments do not erase the progress you have made. They are part of it.
In fact, slipping up, repeating old habits, or feeling like you have “messed up” is not proof that change is not working. It is actually an essential part of lasting change. Each time you find yourself back in an old pattern, you are given another chance to practice responding differently, to notice what triggered you, and to strengthen your resilience.
That repetition is what slowly reshapes how you move through challenges.
Even when it feels like you have taken a step backward, what matters most is that you chose to keep trying. That choice says more about you than the misstep itself. Slipping up does not erase your progress. Instead, it creates an opportunity to learn something new, to respond in a way you might not have before, and to build the confidence that you can keep moving forward. Each setback is not a failure but part of the practice that makes lasting change possible.
If you are in a season where progress feels slow or uncertain, you do not have to walk through it alone. If this speaks to you, I would be glad to schedule your therapy session with me so that we can work through it together.
Your journey does not need to look perfect in order to be meaningful. Forward is forward, no matter how many turns it takes.
Jason Leito, LPC, is a licensed professional therapist at Vervewell Counseling in Fort Worth, TX, offering therapy for young adults and couples across Texas. He offers individual therapy and couples counseling both in-office and through secure telehealth sessions. Located in the Near Southside district of Fort Worth, Jason helps clients manage stress, build healthy coping strategies, set boundaries, and create meaningful personal growth. His approach is practical, supportive, and grounded in helping people move toward lasting change. Jason is certified in Gottman Level 2 training.
