I forgive myself for being so overprotective of my heart, for numbing my feelings and convincing my mind it’s all out of strength, when really, I had been trying to avoid getting hurt.

I forgive myself for not knowing how to express my needs, for believing that un-wanting things is the way to survive. I forgive myself for not knowing better.

I forgive myself for pushing away those who only wanted to hug my pain. I forgive myself for opening up to the wrong ones instead, then waiting for their validation when it’s obvious they’d never understand. I forgive myself for blaming my own tongue, for all the things I said that I wish I could take back, and all the things I never said that still linger in my chest, suffocating me on the darkest nights.

I forgive myself for forgetting to breathe, and for thinking I deserve to take up less space. I forgive myself for allowing my anxiety to get in the way of all the places I wanted to reach. I forgive myself for not starting earlier.

More than anything, I forgive myself for finding it hard to forgive me most of the time.

What do you forgive yourself for today? Start writing using this sentence, and let’s see what comes up for you!

Basma Zaki