16 Things That Look Unbearably Close To Perfection

Sometimes, it's hard for us to explain exactly why we feel the way we do. On the surface, it should feel no different when we miss the rim entirely or when it rolls off when shooting a basketball. But of course we know failure tastes all the more bitter the closer it is to success.

I guess what it comes down to is that if we miss entirely, we have no expectation that we should have succeeded. Yet if we're achingly close to pulling it off, it feels like we had every right to win but the universe suddenly decided to be a jerk and snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

Strangely enough, it's possible to get this feeling even when we haven't done anything. While it can feel surprisingly satisfying when everything in a photo seems to line up perfectly, it can also feel oddly frustrating when there's one tiny flaw fouling up something otherwise perfect.

If it's hard to appreciate how this feeling can work, perhaps these 16 photos will help explain what I mean.

COMMENT and let us know when something came maddeningly close to working out for you.

1. This table was almost totally covered in droplets before that slightly bigger splash had to wreck it.

It's the kind of thing that makes me just want to wipe it all away in disgust.

2. The saddest part is when you only notice the mistake after it's too late.

It's not like you can just tear down the wall again, but that's definitely going to bug someone every time they look at it.

3. You just had to be different, didn't you?

Even though we all know there's no way we could make that line up properly, something inside of some of us would make us try anyway.

4. I get the same feeling when I'm in a public bathroom and the locks don't quite fit together.

I already know I'd spend way too long trying to plug that in just out of principle. 

At least with this one, you can just leave the room. Imagine if something like this followed you wherever you went.

5. What is there to do about an elbow patch that misses the elbow?

Other than tugging on your sleeve uselessly and giving up, I can't think of anything.

6. Apparently this software cost almost $1 million to make.

I guess when you're already spending that much, you have to cut corners on editing.

7. It seems that some fiends will make us go through this problem on purpose.

Well, I know what kind of chocolates I'm not buying.

8. The photographer was so disappointed that they didn't find their car's factory sibling.

If you're wondering what I'm talking about, note the numbers on the license plate. They just need to find the one in between and the stars will finally align.

Most of these don't ultimately matter, but this next one feels like a particularly cruel twist of fate.

9. Okay, yes, it doesn't really matter how close the lottery numbers seem if they're not the right ones.

But man, good luck getting yourself to believe that if this ever happens to you.

10. It's like the peanut butter's warning you just what kind of day you're about to have.

When one little annoying thing shows up, we barely notice. But a thousand of them turning up at every turn is the quickest way to darken a day.

11. When we notice something messing up the pattern, it's almost impossible to unsee it.

And for those who don't, we just end up looking like we're losing it.

12. Apparently there wasn't enough toilet paper on this roll to meet in the middle.

Although I have to admit, you'd really have to go out of your way to find this out. For that matter, it seems like a waste of good toilet paper.

Okay, so that's not exactly the most relatable example of this problem out there. Hopefully, this next one can bring us back down to earth.

13. I'm pretty impressed that this person found socks that matched their bowling shoes.

Or at least they would have if the socks changed patterns the same way. So close.

14. Sure, I guess it's more realistic that a flower wouldn't line up so perfectly.

That doesn't make that one misplaced tile any less infuriating, though.

15. I feel there was some miscommunication here.

Not only are the lines off-center, but the tiles are different colors on each side. It's like the people who work here are having a fight or something and they won't let each other cross onto their side.

16. I wonder, was this a mistake or an intentional design choice?

Either way, I'm glad I don't own this plate.

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