How a Small Slip Revealed a Bigger Truth

Today, I noticed a mistake in something I’d written. I wrote, “even at tribunal,” when what I actually meant was “during tribunal proceedings.” At first, I brushed it off as a simple typo. But the more I thought about it, the more it made sense — and in a strange way, it told a story about what that time was really like for me. The tribunal process went on for nearly a year. It was long, draining, and emotionally overwhelming. Like many parents navigating special educational needs systems, I felt like I was in constant fight or flight mode. There was no room to relax, no moment to exhale. And weirdly enough, the tribunal was something I was gutted didn’t actually happen (even though we got the positive outcome not long before it was planned). The tribunal had come to mean something important to me. It represented being heard. It meant people seeing my son for who he truly is, not just through reports or numbers, but as the brilliant, complex child he is. It meant having a space where our voices mattered and a sense of closure. When it didn’t happen, it left something hanging in the air. All that energy, all that fight, and no real release. The process was technically over, but it didn’t feel finished. So when I saw that little phrase, “even at tribunal”  I realised it wasn’t really a mistake at all. It was just a little reminder of how intense that time was and how much it mattered to me. In today’s world, getting something wrong is often seen as bad or a big deal. But the truth is, it usually isn’t.

Sometimes mistakes, even small slips of the tongue or pen — can actually be helpful. They invite curiosity, reflection, and deeper understanding. They can reveal things about our emotions, experiences, or what matters most to us.

Sometimes our words reveal that the unconscious hasn’t forgotten. And as a psychodynamic counsellor, I couldn’t ignore that,  in fact, I was grateful it surfaced. It was a quiet reminder that awareness itself can be deeply healing.

If you’ve ever been through a process like this, you’ll understand how much it takes out of you, emotionally, mentally, and physically. It’s not just about the outcome; it’s about the toll it takes on your heart.

Maybe your own “slip” will look different,  a word, a reaction, a memory that catches you off guard. But, like me, you may come to appreciate these mistakes. And what’s even more beautiful is the grace of others,  when they respond with understanding and kindness, it can transform a simple slip into a moment of connection, learning, and shared humanity.