You Are Not Broken: The Power of Self-Compassion and Forgiveness

Have you ever paused to consider how you speak to yourself in your hardest moments?

So often, we are quick to extend compassion and forgiveness to others. We comfort loved ones when they falter. We remind friends to go easy on themselves. But when it comes to our own hearts? We can be our harshest critics—replaying mistakes, regretting choices, and carrying guilt like a heavy backpack we can’t seem to take off.

Here’s a truth I want you to hold onto today:

You are not, and never were, broken.

You have a past. We all do. Some of it brings smiles—precious memories, victories, moments of joy. And some of it? Maybe it’s painful. Maybe it’s full of things you wish you could do over or forget entirely. But the past doesn’t define your worth. The beauty of being human is that you can choose, at any moment, to begin the work of healing and become more aligned with your truest self.

My Personal Story: A Journey of Forgiveness

For a long time, I struggled with self-forgiveness.

When I was diagnosed with cancer, a part of me felt I had brought it upon myself. I had stayed in a toxic work environment far longer than I should have—an environment that drained me, eroded my confidence, and pushed me further from my core values. I held everything in, trying to be strong, trying to keep the peace, trying to carry the weight of it all on my own shoulders.

I told myself I was being responsible, dedicated, loyal. But the truth is, I was slowly losing sight of me—my needs, my boundaries, my health. And when the cancer diagnosis came, I turned inward with blame. I kept thinking: If only I had left sooner. If only I had listened to my gut. If only I had honored my values instead of silencing them.

It took me a long time to see that this blame wasn’t serving me. All it did was keep me stuck in shame and regret. Little by little, I began to understand: staying in a difficult situation didn’t mean I deserved to get sick. I was doing the best I could with what I knew at the time.

So I started practicing self-forgiveness. I began speaking to myself gently. I reminded myself that I am human. That we all make choices we later wish had been different. And that the most loving thing I could do now was release that shame and choose healing, every single day.

The Journey of Self-Forgiveness

Self-forgiveness is not about erasing the past. It’s about understanding it. It’s about seeing yourself fully—flaws, missteps, and all—and choosing to release the grip of shame and guilt.

It begins with acknowledging the hurt or harm, even if that harm was toward yourself. Then comes acceptance: Yes, this happened. Yes, I made choices I regret. And from there, you can begin to ask: How can I make peace with myself? How can I move forward in a way that honors who I am today?

Every time you choose self-forgiveness, you free yourself a little more from the past, and you make space for joy, growth, and peace.

The Power of Self-Compassion

Self-compassion isn’t about making excuses or pretending we’ve done no wrong. It’s about recognizing our shared humanity.

All of us are imperfect. All of us make mistakes. And all of us are worthy of kindness—including from ourselves.

When you practice self-compassion, you rewrite the script in your mind. Instead of saying, “I failed,” you say, “I tried. I learned. I can try again.”

A Simple Practice to Begin Today

1. Find a quiet spot and sit comfortably.
2. Take a deep breath in, and as you exhale, close your eyes.
3. Bring to mind something you’re struggling to forgive in yourself.
4. Place your hand over your heart and say (silently or aloud):

“I see the pain I’ve carried. I choose to meet it with kindness. I forgive myself for not knowing what I didn’t know. I give myself permission to heal.”

Sit for a few moments, breathing gently, letting the words settle into your heart.

Every time you practice, you’re planting seeds of self-compassion. Over time, they will bloom into greater peace, clarity, and self-love.

Final Thought

Today, let this be your takeaway:

You are not broken. You are becoming. Be gentle with yourself. You are worthy of your own love.