21 Self-Forgiveness Journal Prompts To Accept And Love Yourself

I put together 21 self-forgiveness journal prompts to bring more insights, healing, and understanding into your life. 

Although guilt is a common emotion many of us experience, if it becomes a normal way of life, it’s time to understand our inner critic and use compassion, forgiveness, and empathy instead. 

These self-forgiveness journal prompts will help you look within and address the guilt or judgment holding you back. 

Although experiencing guilt can serve as a moral compass, chronic, perpetuating guilt doesn’t. 

Ironically, when my clients begin reflecting on their past or current behaviors and gain more understanding about themselves, instead of appreciating this (often) confronting look in the mirror, they turn to judgment. 

And I know they are not alone. Maybe you find yourself feeling guilty for every little mistake you make. Or you get down on yourself for not being somewhere else, whether mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually, or even financially. 

Therefore, I encourage you to use these self-forgiveness journal prompts as a roadmap to a deeper understanding of your inner critic while actively working on forgiving yourself. 

Here are a few things to keep in mind when working through self-forgiveness journaling prompts:

• If you find it difficult to answer any of these prompts, close your eyes, take three deep breaths, and ask the question again with absolute attention and presence; allow the answers to come up. 
• When you get answers that trigger you, make you upset or uncomfortable, offer yourself compassion. Place your hands on your heart and breathe into your heart. Repeat the affirmation, ‘I deserve love, compassion, and forgiveness. Without it, I cannot heal.”
• Allow your intelligence and creativity to thrive, and trust your intuition. If you answer any of these prompts but feel that your answer is incomplete or there is more to it, deepen the question or use your own follow-up questions and address it further. Allow yourself to be brave to look within. 

21 Self-forgiveness journal prompts 

What does self-forgiveness mean to you? 

What do you feel you need to forgive yourself for?

Do you feel it is hard for you to forgive yourself? If yes, what do you think is the reason for that?

Make a list of things that deserve your forgiveness. Those are all the things you judge yourself for or feel guilty about. 

Next to each, write a statement that starts with, “I forgive myself for [name what it is] because I am worthy of forgiveness.” 

If you could do certain things differently, what would you do? How would you act?

Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and say these words: “I deserve forgiveness. I am worthy of forgiveness.”

Then write down what emotions came up after saying these statements. If you feel resentment towards it or feel that you don’t deserve it, examine it further. Is there a part of you needs healing so you allow yourself to receive forgiveness? 

What area of your life brings the most guilt or feelings of shame?

What can you address in this area of your life to find more ease and forgiveness?

Is your inner critic harsh? What does she often say when you make a mistake?

How can you be more understanding towards your inner critic and use compassion to address her when she comes out? 

Write about the time in your life when you forgave yourself or accepted your mistakes or imperfections. What was the basis of it? How did you arrive at that point?

What is the most common thing or situation that brings guilt or judgment into your space? 

Think of a recent situation you need to forgive yourself for. What happened? What was the source of guilt or judgment? How can you approach it differently next time? 

Close your eyes and imagine your inner child sitting next to you. Is there anything you would ask her to forgive you for? (e.g., for not caring for yourself, not standing up for yourself, neglecting her, etc.). Write down your answers. 

Write 3 statements your inner child would tell you as an act of forgiveness and love. 

Who would you be, and how would you act if self-forgiveness would come naturally to you and you could easily let go of guilt? 

What can you do today or this week to move closer to this goal and become a person who embodies forgiveness?

How would that change your relationship with others? 

Make a list of examples of how lack of forgiveness has impacted your life to this point. Can you see that it is blocking your healing? What will be your next best step to change this narrative and heal your inner critic?