“Forgiveness is not something we do for other people. It’s something we do for ourselves to move on.” – Unknown
What Forgiveness Truly Means
Forgiveness is not about condoning the wrongs done to us. It’s not about forgetting, and it’s definitely not about allowing people to hurt us repeatedly. True forgiveness is about you. It’s about freeing your heart from the prison of pain and resentment. It’s about reclaiming your peace—and your life.
A Personal Journey: Letting Go to Move On
There came a time in my life when I had to make one of the hardest decisions—not just once, but many times. I had to forgive and let go of people who were once dear to me. Some were so-called friends. Others were even family.
There were friendships that turned cold, without explanation. There were words said behind my back, actions rooted in envy, betrayal dressed in the mask of kindness. And there were family members whose silence spoke louder than any apology they never gave.
I held on for years—carrying the hurt, revisiting conversations in my mind, wondering what I did wrong or how things could’ve turned out differently. But all it ever did was rob me of my peace and dim my light.
And then I realized: the best way to live… was to let them all go.
I stopped waiting for closure.
I stopped hoping for apologies that would never come.
I stopped explaining myself to people who were committed to
misunderstanding me.
I chose to move on—not because they were right, but because I wanted to be
free.
Forgiveness Is for You, Not for Them
We often think that forgiving someone is about giving them something. But forgiveness is really a gift you give yourself. It’s saying, “I will no longer give you space in my heart, my thoughts, or my future.”
You don’t need to confront anyone to forgive them.
You don’t need to send a message or make peace together.
You just need to decide that their actions will no longer shape who you are becoming.
Letting Go: The Path to Freedom
Letting go isn’t easy. It requires you to mourn the version of the relationship you thought you had. It forces you to face the reality that some people are not meant to stay in your life forever—even if they share your blood or memories.
But letting go is also liberating.
You start breathing again.
You sleep better.
You laugh more freely.
You stop shrinking to make others feel comfortable.
You start rising, unapologetically.
Healing Isn’t Linear, But It’s Worth It
Forgiveness and healing take time. Some days, the old hurt might resurface—but that doesn’t mean you’re not moving forward. It means you’re still human. It means you’re healing in layers.
Each time you choose peace over pain, silence over arguments, joy over bitterness—you are choosing yourself.
Set Yourself Free
In the final analysis, I’ve learned that the most powerful form of self-love is learning to let go.
To walk away with grace.
To live without bitterness.
To thrive without closure.
So forgive—not for them, but for you.
And let go—not because they matter less, but because you matter more.
