I didn’t fear failure. I expected failure.

The line contrasts two attitudes toward risk: fearing failure versus anticipating it as a normal, even likely, outcome. By saying she “expected” failure, the speaker frames setbacks as part of the process rather than a verdict on worth or talent. The stance implies psychological preparedness—if failure is assumed, it loses its power to intimidate, and one can act despite uncertainty. It also hints at resilience and experimentation: expecting failure can encourage persistence, learning, and iteration, because the goal shifts from avoiding mistakes to extracting value from them. In a creative or ambitious life, this mindset can be a practical strategy for continuing to work when success is not guaranteed.