Moving Past Mistakes and Embracing Growth

In one of my previous posts, Overcoming Loneliness, I shared some of the decisions I made that kept me isolated from those I loved. At my weakest, I made a lot of mistakes I’m not proud of. I talked about how important it is to reach out when you’re feeling alone and how looking to substances, like alcohol, for comfort is never the answer. Now, I want to dive into something equally important: forgiving yourself.

If you’ve read my post, you know that just before my 21st birthday, I got a DWI. That was back in 2021, and it’s still a situation I’m dealing with today. For a long time, I felt ashamed, embarrassed, and deeply disappointed in myself. And let me be clear, I’m not proud of it. But here’s the thing—of all the mistakes I’ve made, this is the one I’ve learned the most from.

It was the wake-up call I didn’t want but desperately needed. If it hadn’t happened, if I hadn’t been forced to confront my struggle with alcohol, who knows where I’d be today. So, while I’m not proud of that moment, I am incredibly grateful that I didn’t cause harm to myself or anyone else. And I’m no longer embarrassed or upset about it—I’m blessed that it shaped me into someone I love and am proud of.

That doesn’t mean I’m not still dealing with the consequences, though. Just the other day, I was eager to volunteer at my local church’s kids’ ministry. They run background checks for volunteers, and of course, my DWI came up. I spoke with the lovely lady in charge of the department, and while she was kind and understanding, the decision to allow me to volunteer wasn’t up to her. It stung, not because I felt undeserving of serving, but because even though that incident happened years ago, the repercussions are still very real.

It’s tough when I work so hard every day to remind myself that I am not defined by that moment, yet the world still often sees me through the lens of that one mistake. The person I was three years ago is not the person I am today. But even with all the growth I’ve experienced, it can still be hard to shake the feeling of shame from my past actions.

And that’s why forgiveness is so vital.

Forgiving yourself is an act of grace. It’s acknowledging that while you made a mistake, that mistake doesn’t define you. It’s about understanding that you’re allowed to grow, heal, and become better. The world might not always see the new version of you right away, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t worthy of forgiveness and love—especially from yourself.

I know now that I’m not my past mistakes, but someone who has grown from them. I’m still learning, still growing, and still reminding myself that I deserve to live free from the weight of past shame. If you’ve ever felt stuck in the mistakes of your past, I want to encourage you to let go and forgive yourself. There’s so much more waiting for you on the other side of that self-forgiveness—freedom, peace, and a future that you can be proud of.

So, let’s forgive ourselves. Not because we’re excusing our actions, but because we’re choosing to love ourselves enough to move forward.

Let’s Connect!

I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences when it comes to self-forgiveness. Have you ever struggled with letting go of past mistakes? What has helped you on your journey? Feel free to share in the comments below—I believe there’s power in sharing our stories and lifting each other up.

If you’re looking for more inspiration and encouragement, follow me on Instagram and Pinterest to stay connected! We’re all in this journey of self-growth together, and I’m here to cheer you on every step of the way.

Stay blessed and remember: you are worthy of love and forgiveness—always.