Self Forgiveness

[violetpup19]

The last few months I’ve been feeling rather depressed however today I came off the contraceptive pill so I’m hoping it’ll lift my negative thoughts.

However, anyone got any tips on how to forgive yourself for mistakes in the past. I made a reasonably significant mistake when I was young which my mind loves to keep reminding me of lately, even though the previous 5 years it never bothered me.

Any tips on how to just let it go and accept it so it stops replaying in my head?

[kenster1 Moderator]

hi ive been making wrong choices most of my life a good tip I learned though if I committed a crime say 20 years ago I doubt those I affected would be still going over it so why should i.life is all about learning and we learn through mistakes.dont punish yourself learn to forgive.

[violetpup19 in reply to kenster1]

That’s a very good outlook, thank you

[gardengnome]

Maybe try a symbolic, ceremonial type approach. eg writing a letter to your past self, painting your past misdemeanor,then destroying the painting, running till exhausted, finding some prayers that fit your needs, anything that can help you acknowledge what occurred, and give you the opportunity to dispose of the negative energy that feed the thoughts...

[violetpup19 in reply to gardengnome]

Yes I will try that! Thank you x

[reaThua9]

Hi there, sorry it's so late but I hope you're still checking this thread because I know exactly how you feel. I can get bogged down really easily by choices or behaviors I regret, and it's hard to stop it from spinning around in my head and looking at it from all the painful different angles.

Honestly the only thing that helps me forgive myself is to know that I've been forgiven by God. Finding the peace and forgiveness outside myself is the only thing that's worked for me. I don't know if you believe in a higher power?

[violetpup19 in reply to reaThua9]

I wouldn’t say i believe in a higher power as I identify as an atheist, however I’m open to trying anything that would help but I struggle to believe in a God for many reasons (I study philosophy so I’ve studied the belief in god a lot haha)