To anita:

That would explain why I feel so tired and stressed all the time. Seriously, forgiveness seems like such a vital life skill I’m surprised they don’t teach it in school.

To princevaliant:

I didn’t think you meant forgiveness wouldn’t help, I was just saying that even though forgiveness may not fix everything it’s still my #1 priority. With all the exhausting repressed emotions gone I will finally be free, even if I have some residue left over. I will definitely have to pick my life back together after forgiving, but it will be so much easier after I’ve let go.

Your post also made me realize I need to truly validate myself as well. I thought I had, but it seems I still feel strangely guilty over what happened even though none of it was my fault (it can’t have been, I was a child). I’m going to focus on this to help me forgive easier.