"We weren't created to live in the shame and guilt of traumatic experiences. Self-forgiveness allows us to move forward with greater compassion, resilience and peace."

In this episode, I dive deep into the crucial role of self-forgiveness in trauma recovery. I explore how trauma changes us and the importance of internal healing alongside external support. Drawing from recent studies, I discuss the widespread impact of collective trauma, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and other global crises.

I break down the concept of self-forgiveness, emphasizing that it's not about excusing bad behavior but about personal accountability and growth. I share insights from psychological research on the benefits of self-forgiveness, including reduced anxiety, depression, and health issues.

To help listeners on their healing journey, I outline five steps for practicing self-forgiveness:

1. Recognizing what happened and its effects
2. Understanding your feelings
3. Practicing self-empathy
4. Making reparations where possible
5. Letting go

I also provide practical techniques to support this process, such as mindfulness, meditation, journaling, therapy, self-compassion exercises, and positive affirmations. Throughout the episode, I stress that self-forgiveness is an ongoing practice, not a one-time event, and encourage listeners to be patient and compassionate with themselves as they navigate this journey.

Resources:

Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/

Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60

Brenda’s Website/Links

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn