Learning to forgive is part of the healing process when it comes to coping with your past. Forgiveness does not come easily but can be a significant factor in helping you move forward with your life. Here are 3 tips to help you forgive people who have hurt you in your past.

1. Forgiveness takes time. Forgiving someone who has hurt you does not happen overnight and it may take a long time for you to overcome all the pain and anguish you feel, but that’s okay. Take the first step to forgiveness by saying out loud that you forgive the person, and as time goes on, you will eventually achieve forgiveness.
2. Learning to forgive does not mean you have to be in contact with those who have hurt you. It is up to you whether that person(s) is worthy of your love and friendship. Go with your gut instinct and make sure you do what is best for you. Your feelings come first.
3. Forgiving yourself is also important. Sometimes there are things that you do that you may regret, but remember, you are moving forward with your life, so don’t be hard on yourself for who you once were or what you did in your past. Learn from your mistakes and look ahead to your future.

Forgiving yourself and others can be quite challenging, but holding on to that anger and hurt can be detrimental to your overall health and mental well-being. By letting go of that pain, you have the power to change your life for the better. If you’re having difficulty with forgiveness and coping with your past, we can help. Please call Creative Solutions 4 Kids at (954) 832-3602. We are located in Hollywood, Florida.

Alicia Emamdee is the author of the YA Romance novel, “Aloha Self-Esteem?” which is created specifically for teen girls and the challenges they face with regards to their self-esteem in our society today. Written as a love story, the book provides ways to help increase self-esteem and gain self-confidence.