How do I stop feeling guilty about my past mistakes?

Persistent guilt about past mistakes is a form of self-punishment that often continues long after the actual harm has been addressed or the lesson has been learned. This ongoing guilt typically stems from perfectionist tendencies, shame-based thinking, or the belief that you should have known better or done differently. While guilt can be healthy when it motivates you to make amends or change harmful behavior, chronic guilt about past actions serves no constructive sense of purpose and can actually interfere with your ability to grow and contribute positively to the world. Sometimes past guilt persists because you haven't fully processed what happened or taken appropriate action to address any harm you caused. If you hurt someone, making genuine amends - including taking responsibility, expressing sincere remorse, and changing the behavior - can help resolve the guilt. However, sometimes the guilt continues even after you've done everything possible to make things right, which suggests that the guilt has become more about self-punishment than genuine remorse. Shame often underlies persistent guilt, transforming 'I did something bad' into 'I am a bad person.' This shift makes the guilt feel permanent and unchangeable rather than something you can learn from and move past. Religious or cultural messages about sin, punishment, or moral purity can also contribute to excessive guilt that's disproportionate to the actual harm caused. It's important to recognize that everyone makes mistakes - this is part of being human, not evidence of fundamental character flaws. The goal is to learn from your mistakes, make appropriate amends, and use the experience to become a better person. Continuing to punish yourself indefinitely doesn't help anyone and prevents you from fully engaging in your current life and Interpersonal relationship. Practice self-forgiveness by acknowledging what you've learned, recognizing your personal development since then, and choosing to focus your energy on being the person you want to be now rather than continuing to punish yourself for who you were in the past.