Hi Anonymous

I think it’s amazing that you got therapy and managed to overcome this behaviour. I’m glad that you have such a supportive partner.

I think that you should have compassion for yourself. As you said this behaviour was rooted in a painful past.

Bad habits are bad habits and when we stop doing them we no longer have bad habits.

Did you ever hurt anyone with your snooping? If, so feel free to apologise to them. If you didn’t hurt anyone, you can apologise for the behaviour to yourself.

I don’t think guilt is very helpful because it perpetuates self-hatred. It is part of a cycle of negative self-talk. If you can find it in your heart to forgive yourself the feeling will resolve. Sometimes the hardest thing is to forgive ourselves. Everyone makes mistakes though.

The important part you have already done. You learned the lesson, you got help. You stopped. Commit to never doing so again. That is really all that needs to be done.

What would you say to a good friend if they were in a similar situation?

If you have difficulty with feeling like a bad person. Consider what you truly believe a bad person is like and then consider the good things you do.

Love and best wishes! ❤️🙏