Writer James Joyce noted, “Mistakes are the portals of discovery.” Although mistakes often haunt us with guilt for a long time, it’s best to tackle them, resolve and correct them if possible, and then move on with life. At times this can be very difficult, yet, just as we forgive others, we should also forgive ourselves and treat our being with kindness and goodness.
Be compassionate.
A good way to stop torturing ourselves with guilt is to ask what we would say to our best friends if they made the same mistake. When we are compassionate towards ourselves, it means we have accepted reality and the facts that occurred, but we do not feel shame and do not constantly reproach ourselves.
Looking Beneath the Surface of a Mistake
Behind every mistake we make there is a reason for it. Therefore, do not just look at the mistake but scratch beneath the surface and try to understand why you made it. Viewing things this way means we are ready to learn something new about ourselves or the people around us, which is always a step forward. A mistake can be due to a certain way of viewing things, or you may realize it occurred because you were adhering to certain patterns of thought that were not the best.
Don’t Burn Bridges Over a Mistake, Repair Them
Repairing bridges behind us is the hardest part of reconciling with our mistakes, but it is the most important part of continuing life normally. Admitting mistakes to oneself is a big step, and admitting them to others is a matter of courage. If you want to repair a collapsed bridge in your life, you first need to take responsibility for causing its collapse, and then take action. “I’m sorry” is always a good way to start, but it won’t solve everything. You must try harder to make the other side believe you are serious, so be prepared for that.
Understand the lesson.
Every mistake we make actually carries a lesson within. The lesson is often the most positive aspect of any mistake, and that’s why it should be learned, and accepted, and we should strive not to repeat it again. The lesson is a way to remove guilt from our lives and an excellent way to grow personally in terms of character or soul. Some people find themselves in a vicious cycle where they constantly repeat the same mistakes. Therefore, one should not feel guilty because it’s a sign that we have not yet learned the lesson we need to, but this too will happen over time.
Open up.
The guilt of a mistake is a heavy burden, even heavier if we carry it alone. Therefore, it is very important to open up and talk about everything with a trusted person. Also, this way friendships are strengthened, and the other person opens up as well, and we realize that we all have similar problems and guilt, which is healing.
Finally, know that mistakes are an important, if not vital, part of the human experience. We all make them, but a life without mistakes is not a life, so be kinder to yourself when you make them, and equally kind when others do.
