How do I forgive myself?

Question

Anonymous Practitioner · Accepted Answer

I knew a woman who, twenty years after a mistake, still flinched every time it crossed her mind. Twenty years of the same sentence: I don't deserve to let this go.

I asked her, "If a friend had done what you did, and spent twenty years punishing themselves for it, what would you tell them?"
She knew instantly. She just couldn't say it to herself.

Forgiveness isn't announcing that what you did was fine. It's deciding you've paid enough, and closing the account. You can carry a lesson forward without carrying the punishment forever.

“How do I forgive myself?”