AITA for being horrifically clumsy?

I (22F) have always been the biggest clutz I know. Like Bella Swan level clumsiness, and not the cute kind. I stumble into doors, have fallen down the stairs more times than I can count, and can never get a grip of things. I’ve smashed so many glasses my family won’t let me use them anymore. Which is fair.

Last night I mindlessly picked up a candle that I could smell. It wasn’t lit, so I thought it was fine, and then proceeded to throw a comical amount of dark blue wax over myself, my hair, and the very expensive carpet my parents have. My mum hit the roof, which again, is fair.

My issue is, it was an accident. I had no idea it had been lit, only lifted it to smell it, and was in such shock I could barely react. My mum said the usual ‘what the fuck is wrong with you’ and ‘why do you touch anything?’ And much along the same lines. Again, I get it, I often feel the same, but I just can’t help it. I don’t purposefully mess up. She sent me off and I apologised, but she just called me an idiot. I texted her to say id researched how to clean it, but wanted her advice, and she said she couldn’t speak to me and called me an idiot again. I spent hours cleaning the carpet today of course, and it’s practically undetectable.

Am I the asshole? I know I mess up all the time, but it’s genuinely an accident every time. I just lose my grip, or do something stupid without thinking. I don’t really know how to correct this as I’ve been trying for years. But I could barely converse with her because she was so angry. I don’t know if it’s wholly justified, considering I was able to clean it.

Also I know I’m 22 and still living at home and getting myself anxious over these things. Moving out is expensive, and I’m single, so I’ve kind of got to work with it for the moment.

Posted Oct 6, 2025, 7:18 PM UTC

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