Forgiveness
is hard. Admitting that there is a problem, and then conducting a solution
takes time, patience, and bravery. When we have to forgive ourselves for our
actions, this process can be even more difficult. The path to forgiveness is
not an easy one. By practicing self-awareness and understanding that life is a
journey and not a sprint, you too can learn to forgive yourself.
Diagnose why you need to forgive
yourself. If we recognize we are to blame, we
may feel guilt and a need for forgiveness. When you think of memories, they may
create these uncomfortable feelings. To identify why it is you may feeling like
this, ask yourself:
- Am I feeling this way because of the outcome of what I did makes me feel bad?
- Am I feeling this way because I am to blame for a bad outcome?
Accept that failures do not make you
a bad person. Everyone fails at something at one
point in her life or other. Do not think that failing at something - whether it
be a job or relationship - makes you a bad person. As Bill Gates said: “It is
fine to celebrate success, but it is more important to heed the lessons of
failure”. Learning from one’s mistakes is a step of forgiving oneself.
Do not be afraid to start anew. To really forgive yourself, do not be afraid to start from
scratch. Learning to forgive yourself is not just learning to live with the
past. It is learning from that experience. Take what you have learned and apply
it to building a better you.
Adapt a new mindset by learning from
past mistakes. One way to move forward with
yourself is to adapt from what you have learned.
- Set goals yourself for the future that help to promote a better and stronger mindset. This look into the future may help your forgive yourself in the present by focusing on the positive changes you are able to make.
- Whenever you feel guilt, follow the words of Les Brown, "Forgive yourself for your faults and mistakes and move on." This will help you whenever you make a mistake.
