We tend to be harder on ourselves than we are on anyone else. And sometimes, we beat ourselves up for even the tiniest mistakes (guilty!). But whether you've made huge mistakes or tiny ones, self-forgiveness is essential for finding peace and boosting your sense of self-worth. These self-forgiveness quotes can help you get over whatever you've done and move forward with a new sense of zen.
Self-Forgiveness Quotes for Healing
You can't heal what you don't acknowledge. And we tend to stuff those things we think are unforgivable about ourselves deep into our shadows where we think we can safely ignore them. Unfortunately, the things we stuff into our shadows always find a way of leaking back out until we do the work to forgive ourselves and move on. Doing the work can be incredibly healing, as these quotes about self-forgiveness show.
- What we hide in the shadows will always surface. Self-forgiveness releases those things, so we don't need to hide them anymore.
- Self-forgiveness brings peace.
- Self-forgiveness releases you from pain.
- The universe has already forgiven you. Now, it's time to forgive yourself.
- Carrying anger, disappointment, or self-hatred keeps you from moving ahead. Self-forgiveness is the way forward.
- The first step in a better life is forgiving yourself.
- What you did is in the past. You can't do anything about it except learn from it and forgive yourself.
- Self-forgiveness is always the way forward.
- "Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does change the future." - Paul Lewis Boese
- Self-forgiveness shines a light into the shadows.
- It's okay to let yourself off the hook. You did the best you could with the tools you had at the time. Take accountability, make amends, and then let it go so you can move forward.
- "The forgiving state of mind is a magnetic power for attracting good." - Catherine Ponder
- Guilt and shame hold you back. Self-forgiveness releases you to move forward.
- If you want better relationships in life, the first step is always forgiving yourself.
- Self-forgiveness is the ultimate act of self-care.
- Treat yourself with the same level of understanding and compassion as you would with those you love the most in the world.
- Before you can learn and grow from your mistakes, you must first forgive yourself for making them.
Quotes About Self-Forgiveness That You Can Use as Affirmations
One tool you can use on the path to self-forgiveness is affirmations. These quotes about self-forgiveness are all written as affirmations. Speak or write them exactly as-is, or make them your own.
- I forgive myself for my mistakes.
- I am grateful for the mistakes I've made because they help me grow.
- I forgive my past errors and use them as the impetus for growth.
- I forgive myself and love myself unconditionally.
- I release guilt and shame for my perceived flaws.
- I release the guilt and shame of my past acts and move forward in self-love.
- I have deep compassion for myself.
- I treat myself with the same compassion I treat those I love.
- I forgive myself for choices I have made in the past that have done me harm.
- I release the past and step confidently into the future.
- I release myself from self-blame.
- I forgive myself for not being perfect.
- I set aside blame and love myself unconditionally.
- I set aside shame and allow myself to feel forgiven.
- The universe has already forgiven me, and I forgive myself.
Quotes on Self-Forgiveness That Release Shame
Shame is such a harmful emotion, especially when it is deep-seated and internalized. Shame can rob you of self-worth and keep you from finding peace and joy.
- "We cannot heal what we cannot feel. So without recovery, our toxic shame gets carried for generations." - John Bradshaw
- Before you can be your authentic self, you must find self-forgiveness and release your shame.
- Shame makes us feel like we have something to hide, so we live in the shadows. Self-forgiveness frees us to live in the light.
- To release shame and forgive yourself, you must first get to the root of why you feel ashamed.
- Shame makes you your own greatest enemy. Self-forgiveness helps you return to self-love.
- Shame and self-loathing walk hand in hand. Self-forgiveness leads to unconditional self-love.
- To love others, you must first love yourself. So, one of the best reasons to release shame and forgive yourself is so you can love yourself and, thus, love others.
- Shame blocks self-love and compassion. Forgiving yourself removes the blocks.
- What would you say to a child who is feeling shame for the things you're ashamed of? No doubt, you'd react with forgiveness and compassion. Give yourself the same grace.
- Give yourself grace for the choices you've made. You did the best you could, and moving forward, you'll do better.
Forgive Yourself
Carrying internalized guilt and shame is a form of self-harm, and it keeps you from living a peaceful life. So acknowledge your mistakes, learn from them, make amends, and forgive yourself. Once you find self-forgiveness, you can make choices that serve you better as you move forward.
