They say there’s a wonderful release that comes from forgiveness-it’s described as a release from toxicity, a freedom from the imprisonment that anger creates in our lives. After all, when we harbor negative thoughts it’s only a matter of time that those thoughts creep into every moment, every interaction, every thought we have…until negativity takes over our lives completely.
So we’re taught from childhood that forgiving others is the only way to move on when you’ve been hurt.
But Forgiving Yourself for Cheating is the Toughest Challenge
But when the wound is self-inflicted, as it is when you’ve cheated in your marriage, it’s an entirely different story. Our culture doesn’t teach us how to forgive ourselves, and it certainly doesn’t come naturally. When forgiveness means freeing yourself from the prison of shame, a strong system of support is incredibly important.
As part of your support system for forgiving yourself and unburdening yourself from shame, here are some affirmations for your healing process. Read them, repeat them, and believe them every day as part of your journey toward self forgiveness.
Examples of Positive Affirmations For Forgiveness
I forgive myself for any and all past mistakes.
Forgiving yourself is the hardest thing to do, when it comes to self-help. Begin by telling yourself: today, I forgive myself for any and all past mistakes. And I forgive others for their mistakes. When I forgive others, I get better at forgiving myself. So make a habit of forgiving, and eventually you’ll be able to forgive yourself.
You’re wrestling with your own demons and not someone else’s, and only you can forgive you. Your demons tell you to live in shame for cheating mistakes, but you should remember: Like everyone else, I occasionally make mistakes and do or say things I regret. But I quickly forgive myself and vow to do better in the future. I remember all the positive things I have done.
Nobody wants to harbor resentment, since it’s like swallowing poison. Nobody wants to live a life that’s miserable and full of negativity. Let go of shame, and tell yourself: I have the power to forgive myself for all of my past mistakes. I just have to let them go. I am free of doubt, embarrassment, and guilt. I love myself and am full of confidence. I know that I am a great person, inside and out.
As we take on life’s lessons one at a time, we eventually learn how to forgive and move on- eventually healing and letting go of past anger. After all, it happens pretty regularly: life is full of injustice and nobody is fortunate enough to escape being hurt, even when the hurt comes from within, as it does when one cheats in a marriage. Tell yourself: I realize that mistakes are a part of life and are actually a good thing. I learn from my mistakes, and they make me a more knowledgeable person.
Forgiveness is part of how we heal from wounds, and humans are naturally pretty good at recovering from injury. We all make mistakes- remember that. In fact, the most successful people are those who have made the most mistakes. Tell yourself: I embrace my errors and strive to grow as a result of them.
Finally, remember that you’re human, and humans make mistakes. We all do. To be perfect is to be something other than a living human being. You are free of unreasonable expectations of perfection. Tell yourself: My choices have created the wonderful person that I am and I forgive myself for my past errors.
After all, everyone deserves to be forgiven. Tell yourself: Everyone deserves forgiveness, so I find it easy to forgive others and myself.
Self-Reflection Questions:
1. What are 3 things for which I should forgive myself?
2. How would my life change if I were better at forgiving myself?
3. Who else should I forgive?
I think the use of the word “mistake” is inaccurate and dowmplays the gravity of the offense in reference to affairs. Mistakes are accidental. The choice to have sex with another person is a conscious decision.
Hi,
Thanks for stopping by. I agree infidelity is a choice, but we all make mistakes, some are graver than others. But everyone deserves a chance.
Food for thought: When the marriage vows are exchanged at the altar, it served a far greater commitment. But at the dawn of the affair, if the marriage vows are sacred, the affair would not have taken place. I am still in the healing process to forgive my husband. Its tough, really tough.
Hello. I have a situation. I’m a man who has finally admitted that I emotionally cheated on my wife after 7 years This came out3 weeks ago.We have 3 kids and a great life together. Why would I do this? Answer: I don’t know. I’m a rational thinker. What I think is as this point is I have major anxiety issues that morphed into porn addiction that fucked with my judgment. Porn addictions are very scary. If you don’t know anything about it it’s worth reading. I simply fucked up. Root cause. I made a terrible mistake. My wife is not having it and she wants to divorce. That was the one rule and I broke it. Help.