3 Ways for Forgive Yourself & Move Forward
Usually, the most difficult person to forgive is yourself. Regret, shame, and guilt keep us from forgiving ourselves from previous errors. Rather than meditating on the experience to grow, we prefer to dwell on it.
We remain locked in the past when we refuse to forgive ourselves for our regrets. Ironically, we know this behavior doesn’t serve us, yet we return to what’s familiar and don’t let go.
The best part is that you can embrace a fulfilling future with some simple strategies.
Consider the following ways to forgive yourself and move forward:
- Acknowledge your error and hold yourself accountable. Consider the mistake you’re unable to overcome. First, clearly define what you did or didn’t do and take responsibility for your actions.
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- Being honest and recognizing your mistakes will help ease your grief, guilt, and shame.
- Examine your mistake and be honest about how you felt then and now.
- Consider the physical and emotional consequences of your error on others.
- Tell a friend, relative, counselor, or religious leader about your mistake. Ask about error severity, criticism, and advice. They’ll probably be more forgiving than you.
- Make an attempt to correct the problem and make atonement. Then try to consider what you could have done differently to avoid the blunder and how you’ll act differently in the future. It may assist you in forgiving yourself.
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- If your miscalculation caused others harm, apologize and ask for forgiveness. It can be healing for you and the person you hurt.
- If you can’t apologize to those directly affected, perform good deeds to show your regret.
- If your bad judgment resulted in a financial loss, seek restitution.
- Share your story with others to help them avoid making the same mistake.
- Recognize that you’ve changed and are no longer the same person who committed the first error. Continue to look for opportunities to assist others and abstain from acts that could result in a similar failure of judgment in the future.
Conclusion
We all make mistakes, and occasionally they have catastrophic consequences. Regardless of the gravity of our errors, we all deserve forgiveness. Taking advantage of the chance to repent and make amends will assist everyone involved in healing and putting the incident behind them.
Do you need help reconciling your past actions, learning from your mistakes, and embracing a future filled with meaning? Feel free to contact us!
