How can I learn to forgive myself for past things?

Answer 1

Accept that you can't change the past. Don't repeat the actions. Whenever the intrusive memory tries to overwhelm you; reorient yourself in the "here & NOW". What are you doing at that particular moment etc...Focus on the task at hand. You can't go back so stop beating yourself up about it. Live & Learn. If you don't forgive yourself then you will find that one day you will have spent a lifetime of self-inflicting guilt much longer than the actual offense may have taken.
Stop putting the proverbial knife in and out of yourself. Move on.

Answer 2

Generally speaking ... For forgiveness for something (I assume) you regret, try finding the experience purposeful. I'm not saying to necessarily see it as a positive experience, but there may be a positive aspect of it. What can you learn? What can you remember to avoid doing it again? I think forgiveness for yourself relies on not acting in similar way again. If you've regretted it once, you probably don't want to do it again. Learn to treat yourself better and hold yourself to a higher standard with each mistake made and lesson learned. You also need to accept what happened. Fighting it or endlessly wondering 'what if' might lengthen the time of turmoil (if that's what you're experiencing). Some what if's are useful, but only to a certain extent that you realize what you could have done better.
I've heard that a lot of people find peace with God, too. I'm not religious myself, but if it might work for you maybe repost the same question in the religion and spirituality section?

Answer 3

Here's how self-forgiveness happens...

1. Feel genuine remorse.
2. Understand why you did it.
3. Resolve never to do it again.
4. Make amends (apology, restitution...if appropriate)
5. Follow through with positive behavior
6. Put it behind you...let the baggage go

Essentially, you're human like everyone else. You make mistakes, for which you're sorry. But if you learn from them and never repeat them, that's all any person can do. So you HAVE to forgive yourself, which means that while you'll never forget the incident, you no longer blame or punish yourself. It's over as far as you're concerned. Get on with living the rest of your life.

Answer 4

Heh well this is cheesier but I guess I'd try to make it up by doing what I should have done to the person, to myself, or to someone, because then I felt that I fixed my mistake and myself for the later future.

Answer 5

this is CHEESIE but try it for a week a couple times a day look into the mirror & tell yourself " I forgive myself , I forgive myself , I forgive myself .

Answer 6

Give yourself permission to forgive yourself - We all do things we're not proud of - that is a normal part of life