You know that feeling when you finally unclench your jaw and realize you’ve been tensing up over something trivial? That’s a bit like what forgiveness feels like—letting go of the heavy stuff because, frankly, life’s too short to carry extra baggage.
This is where affirmations can help. I’ve put together a list of positive phrases to help you stay focused on letting go and moving forward.
Table of Contents
For Forgiving Myself
- I am doing my best, and that’s enough.
- I let go of my own harsh judgments.
- My mistakes are not my entire story.
- I am learning from my past, not living in it.
- I trust that I am worthy of forgiveness, just like anyone else.
- I forgive myself and feel lighter each day.
- I am worthy of forgiveness, even from myself.
- I accept that I am human and allow myself the grace to grow.
- Every day, I choose self-love over self-criticism.
- I am patient with myself as I grow.
- I accept my imperfections with kindness.
- I forgive myself for not having all the answers.
- I am learning to be kinder to myself, even when I fall short.
- I am doing the best I can, and that is something to be proud of.
For Moving On from the Past
- Today, I choose to step into my future.
- I release yesterday to make room for today.
- I am not chained to my past experiences.
- Letting go is my choice, and I choose it now.
- I celebrate the lessons my past has taught me.
- I am free from the hold of my history.
- Moving on empowers me to be present.
- I trust the journey, even when it’s hard.
- I let go of regret and choose to look forward with hope.
- Each day is a fresh start and a new beginning.
- I am free from the past; I am living fully in the now.
- I release the hold that past mistakes have had on me.
For Letting Go of Anger
- Today, I replace anger with understanding.
- I am calming my heart and my mind.
- I am more than my emotions.
- Peace is more valuable to me than anger.
- I choose to respond with calmness today.
- My peace is my priority.
- I forgive to free myself from anger.
- Letting go of anger sets me free.
- I am stronger than my anger; I choose to rise above it.
- I am letting go of the anger that has weighed me down for too long.
- I am releasing anger because it no longer has a place in my life.
For Forgiving Others
- I forgive to heal my heart.
- Forgiving others restores my peace of mind.
- I release others from the hold of my expectations.
- I choose compassion over holding grudges.
- Forgiveness connects me to the goodness in others.
- I am setting us both free by forgiving.
- I choose peace over persistent pain.
- I choose to forgive because it frees me from the pain of the past.
- I forgive others because holding on to hurt only keeps me stuck.
- I am bigger than the hurts I’ve encountered.
- I let go of blame and embrace peace.
- My heart is open to forgive and forget.
- I let go of grudges because they only weigh me down.
For Healing After Betrayal
- I am reclaiming my power by forgiving.
- Betrayal won’t define my capacity to trust.
- I am healing and growing stronger each day.
- Forgiveness is my path to personal peace.
- I choose resilience over resentment.
- I am not defined by how others treat me.
- I am focusing on building a joyful life.
- My heart is healing, and I am forgiving.
- I deserve and am creating a trustworthy future.
- I trust my journey to lead me to healing.
For Accepting What Happened
- I acknowledge my past and focus on the now.
- Acceptance is the bridge to my peace.
- I accept my life’s unfolding story.
- What happened has shaped me but does not limit me.
- I find strength in accepting my reality.
- I am at peace with what I cannot change.
- Accepting my past empowers my present.
- I embrace the truth of my journey.
- Today, I make peace with my past.
- Acceptance helps me move forward.
For Forgiving for Your Own Peace
- I forgive for myself, to feel peace.
- My inner peace is more important than past pain.
- I forgive because I deserve peace.
- Letting go brings me tranquility.
- I prioritize my peace with every act of forgiveness.
- Forgiveness is my gift to myself.
- Every forgiveness is a step toward peace.
- I cherish the calm that forgiveness brings.
- Today, my peace is my guide.
- I let go and let peace reign in my heart.
For Forgiving Without an Apology
- I don’t need an apology to heal.
- My forgiveness doesn’t depend on their regret.
- I am freeing myself by forgiving, apology or not.
- My peace is mine to grant myself.
- I choose to forgive and feel free.
- An apology is not a prerequisite for my peace.
- I release the need for external validation to heal.
- I am the master of my emotions, and I choose peace.
- Forgiveness is within me, regardless of their actions.
- I am empowered by my ability to forgive unilaterally.
For Forgiving Family Members
- Family is worth forgiving.
- I forgive my family to heal our bonds.
- Forgiveness brings us closer together.
- I choose understanding over resentment with family.
- My love for family includes forgiving them.
- We heal together when we forgive.
- I release old family wounds for our collective peace.
- Forgiving my family is forgiving a part of myself.
- Our family’s love overcomes past hurts.
- Today, I open my heart to family forgiveness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don’t feel ready to forgive?
That’s okay. Start with affirmations that focus on accepting what happened or letting go of anger. Forgiveness is a journey, and it’s important to go at your own pace.
Can forgiveness affirmations help me forgive someone who really hurt me?
Yes, they can help by changing your perspective, allowing you to see the situation from a place of compassion and understanding rather than hurt.
Can I use these affirmations even if I’m not sure I want to forgive someone?
Absolutely. Even if you’re uncertain, these affirmations can help you process your feelings and gain clarity on what you truly want. They can guide you toward a place of peace, whether you choose to forgive or not.
Should I forgive someone if they haven’t apologized?
Forgiving without an apology is challenging but can be empowering. It allows you to reclaim your peace and move on without waiting for someone else to make amends. Forgiveness in this context is more about freeing yourself from the burden of anger and resentment.
Is it okay to forgive without forgetting?
Yes, forgiving doesn’t mean you have to forget. You can forgive and still remember what happened, using it as a lesson to protect yourself in the future. The goal is to release the emotional burden, not erase the memory.
Final Thoughts
Forgiving doesn’t mean forgetting or excusing what happened—it means you’re ready to move forward. It’s not easy, but using these affirmations is one of the best things you can do for yourself.
When old feelings start to creep back in, return to these affirmations. They’re here to remind you that you have the strength to let go and live a lighter life.