There are bad things all of us have done that we didn’t have to do. No one forced our hand, we were in no danger or duress. Yet we did something we knew was wrong. Regret over this is healthy, but practice healing your shame. You did something bad, but now is your chance to spend every day doing good things just because. If you let your shame consume you, all you will accomplish is paralyzing yourself in guilt. This will not heal anyone. You deserve forgiveness and peace.

i think one of the most important things you learn about making connections with others is that a significant portion of the time people just do not know theyre doing what theyre doing

sometimes someone is acting selfish because they just didnt think you had any interest in what theyre hogging. sometimes you dont get invited to the movies because your friend could have sworn that you said no. sometimes you think someone is mad at you because theyre bad at hiding how little sleep they got. we are all like little worlds that briefly crash into one another from time to time and we just arent physically capable of seeing the whole picture at once in those moments. and learning that really changed everything!

it is actually very normal and important to make mistakes !!! failure means that you tried something new and are taking risks!! allow yourself to grow. ask questions. don’t let anyone shame you when you have fallen in some way. walk away from them, so you can find the ones that will hold your hand when you’re struggling. the right ones will co-create and help you through it. do not let fear win. choose love and grace and empathy, always.

Sometimes, all people can think about themselves are their mistakes. It plays like a movie in their heads, a constant reminder of what they did. If you are going through that right now, please know that you are so much more than the mistakes you've made in the past, that you deserve credit for the good things you do even if you are struggling to see them, and I hope that soon you can let go of some of these mistakes and start seeing yourself in a more positive light. This is your reminder to forgive yourself. Even if only for a few things at first, but I am sure you can keep going in this journey and let go of the past more and more until you find peace of mind and comfort in knowing that you are only human, and you can't be perfect all the time.

"i forgive myself for what i did" and "i should not have done that" are two statements that can and should coexist. you can forgive yourself while holding yourself accountable. you can understand that you fucked up while also understanding that you're human.

You deserve love now. Not once you lose weight. Not once you accomplish that thing. Not once you move. Not once you get on medication. Not once you start therapy. Not once you get that job. Not once you're more like them. Now. You don't have to earn the right to be loved. You deserve it right now, and always have.