Forgiveness can be powerful, but it can also be challenging. Many people find that they can forgive others long before they can forgive themselves. Learning to forgive yourself after mistakes is a process that takes time and effort. If you find yourself struggling to forgive yourself, keep the following tips in mind.
Talk to Your Inner Critic
Everyone has an inner critic — that voice that pops up when we do something new, make mistakes or change our plans. That inner critic can stifle our growth and make personal forgiveness rather tricky. Learn to acknowledge that the voice you are hearing is your critic and stand up to it. Standing up to your inner critic can help you lead the life of your dreams.
Acknowledge When You Are Overly Critical
Many times we are our own harshest critics. We strive for perfection — something we would never expect from others. If you are critical of yourself, try to pause and think about whether or not your expectations are realistic. Give yourself a break if you make mistakes or if your plans don’t turn out as expected.
Accept Your Mistakes
Acknowledging your mistakes will help you to forgive those mistakes. When we keep our feelings bottled up inside, it can cause stress, anxiety, and many other mental health challenges. If you are struggling to find forgiveness, analyze what the situation was and who was involved.
Focus On Your Feelings
Learning to forgive yourself means focusing on your feelings. What are you struggling to forgive? Who is involved? Do they affect how you feel? Often, the root of our struggles is far below the surface, and it can be challenging to find the underlying cause and work through it. That is where a mental health professional can help.
Forgiveness can be powerful. We need to be able to forgive others and ourselves to maintain our mental health and overall well-being. If you struggle with addiction, trauma, or mental health issues, it can feel overwhelming and, at times, impossible to find forgiveness within yourself. You are not alone in feeling this way. Here at The Guest House, we have extensive experience helping people gain the skills and tools they need to work through challenges and find their happiness. Call us today at (855) 483-7800 to learn more about our treatment options and how we can support you on your road to recovery.