Marsha GillDo you ever feel like you’re stuck in the past and can’t move on forward? Are you constantly haunted by what you did, and no matter how much time has passed, you can’t seem to let yourself off the hook? Mistakes happen. Making mistakes is a normal and unavoidable part of life. Sadly, when we make mistakes, it can be tough to forgive ourselves.
We may focus on our errors which can cause us to feel guilty or ashamed and think we are not worthy of forgiveness. But self-forgiveness is an essential step on the road to happiness and peace of mind.
Sometimes we can get stuck in our heads and hyper-focus on the mistake, and next thing you know, that negative self-talk creeps in…. I’m so stupid, I can’t believe I did that, or I’m the worst. We start beating ourselves up. It’s important to remember-everyone makes mistakes. It just means you’re human, and making mistake is a part of being human. Just because you made a mistake doesn’t mean you’re a terrible person. You made a mistake. Own it! Acknowledging this can help you be more forgiving towards yourself. Forgiving yourself is the first step to moving on and learning from your past experiences. It also opens up the possibility of forgiveness from others. Consider this, how can you expect others to do the same if you can’t forgive yourself?
There are a few things you can do to make forgiving yourself easier:
- Allow yourself time to heal, and don’t rush the process. It takes time to recover from a physical wound, and it also takes time to heal from the emotional pain of making a mistake. Unforgiveness is the way that we inflict pain on ourselves. Learning from your mistakes is essential. It’s equally important to give yourself time to heal afterward. Rushing the healing process can lead to further anxiety and stress, preventing you from moving on healthily. Just like acknowledging is a part of moving forward, so is accepting what happened and forgiving yourself. Trying to forget what happened or dwelling on what could have been will keep you stuck in the past. Instead, focus on the present and building a purposeful future.
- Focus on the present. Living in the past won’t change anything. Instead of dwelling on your mistakes, focus on the present and what you can do to improve the situation. For example, if you make a mistake at work, focus on doing your best and learning from your mistake. By focusing on the present, you can move on from your mistakes and become a stronger person from the experience.
- Seek support and help. It’s helpful to talk to someone about what you’re going through. Talking about your experiences can help you healthily process them and see things from a different perspective. It can also reassure you in knowing that you’re not alone in what you’re feeling.
- Be gentle with yourself. Beating yourself up about your mistakes will only make things worse. Instead, being kind to yourself and giving yourself credit for trying your best is essential. Remember that everyone makes mistakes and that you can learn from them. Forgiving yourself is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Deciding to forgive yourself is not always easy, but it’s worth it. By forgiving yourself, you’re taking the first step towards moving on and learning from your experiences. You deserve forgiveness. If you are struggling, book a consultation, and let’s get you on the road to happiness and peace of mind.
