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There’s truly nothing worse than regret. The truth is that when we don’t do our best or feel like we could’ve done better, we feel regret, even guilt or shame.
These negative feelings lead us no where but down a hole of anxiety and depression. We deserve better than that.
For this reason, am a firm-believer in self-forgiveness. Here are 6 other reasons why:
1. I am constantly learning and growing.
Growth is a process which will involve making mistakes. Yes, we all fall but what’s powerful is getting back up. I forgive myself because I am constantly learning and growing.
2. I am not perfect.
We are expected to do and be a lot. Nowadays, you say or do one wrong thing and people come after you via twitter or social media. We are not meant to be perfect and there is a beauty in that. If we all walked around as perfect robotic beings, life would be boring. I forgive myself for not being perfect.
3. I am in control of my happiness.
Yes, I could spend hours, days and months dwelling on my mistakes but where would that get me? Repeating negative thoughts will only bring me down. I forgive myself because I am in control of my happiness.
4. Now that I know better, I can do better.
These words are from Maya Angelou. Sometimes the only way to become a better person is through trial and error. I recently went through a situation with a man where I was beating myself up for allowing him to treat me the way that he did. A reminder of this quote came into my head and I felt calm. It took me not knowing better to find out and understand what better is. I forgive myself because now that I know better, I can do better.
5. I am stronger than what I went through.
I am stronger than my mistakes because I am still here. If I have gotten through them, then it is time to let them go. Sometimes being stronger than a situation speaks more volumes than how you got into it to begin. I forgive myself because I am stronger than what I went through.
6. I don’t always have to be right.
In the words of Joss Stone, ‘I’ve got a right to be wrong, my mistakes will make me strong.’ As a human being, I am allowed my mistakes. I’m not saying that they will happen often, however, I can let go of the notion that I need to be perfect and never do any wrong. I forgive myself because I don’t always have to be right.