Making mistakes can lead to a lot of guilt. This is increased when past mistakes result in consequences today and affect us. When we talk about big money mistakes, it can be hard not to be critical. Extreme debt can be seen as a failure. Many people give up and forget there are ways to get out of debt. The first step is to forgive yourself. When you forgive yourself for all your mistakes, you can let go of them. Your mistakes do not define you: they teach you. Once you learn the lessons from your mistakes, you are meant to move on. It is in our mistakes that we grow stronger. This is analogous to building muscles: they have to rip and heal to become stronger.

In some instances, it takes time to recognize money mistakes. It can be a complex process to know the root of our mistakes. You might think that your increasing amount of debt comes from your inability to make more money. However, upon closer examination, you realize that you have been living beyond your means. This may have been derived from the pattern that you saw in your childhood role models: your parental figures. Their pattern is the cause of generations surviving instead of thriving. It is time to forgive yourself for following this damaging pattern and recognize that you are able to build a better path.

Say out loud “I forgive myself”. Now go on and live your life like it was meant to be lived, without any shame. Do not let your past hold you. You are free to do whatever you want to do.

Editor: Melinda Kovacs