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Forgive, not forget: Psychologist's tips
19.09.2023 14:50
Updated: 13.05.2024 21:23
Most people know that they're supposed to forgive people who wronged them, but it doesn't always mean that you should forget the things they've done to you.
SImply forgetting can damage you in the future, so it's better to know the healthy balance between these two.
Let's find out more about forgiving and forgetting, and how they can affect you.
Forgiving someone
Forgiving someone means you decide not to hold their mistake against them anymore.
It's like saying, "I know you did something wrong, but I'm not going to be angry or upset with you about it. I forgive you."
Forgetting their mistakes
Forgetting their mistake, on the other hand, means you completely erase it from your memory as if it never happened.
It's like saying, "I don't even remember that you did something wrong."
It's not always the healthiest thing to do, and let's find out why.
Protect Yourself
If someone has hurt you in the past, remembering what they did can help you be cautious around them in the future.
It's like a warning sign that reminds you to be careful so you don't get hurt again.
Learn from It
When you remember what happened, you can learn from the situation.
You might figure out how to handle similar problems better in the future or choose not to trust someone who has proven to be untrustworthy before.
Set Boundaries
Remembering helps you set boundaries.
It's like saying, "I won't let that happen to me again," and it can help you make decisions that protect your well-being.
Conclusion
It's generally better to forgive people, so your feelings won't bother and harm you for a long time.
Meanwhile, you shouldn't forget what they're capable of, so you can protect yourself from potential damage in the future.
