You don’t forgive to let them off the hook. You forgive so you can walk away unchained.
Let’s be honest.
Forgiveness isn’t easy.
Especially when the wound is deep.
When the betrayal rewired your nervous system.
When the apology never came — or came without change.
When people say “just forgive,” it can feel like a slap in the face.
As if letting go means what happened was okay.
As if your anger isn’t valid.
As if your pain isn’t sacred.
But what I’ve learned is this:
Forgiveness isn’t for them.
It’s for you.
Forgiveness Doesn’t Mean:
Trusting them again Minimizing what happened Ignoring your grief or anger Rebuilding a relationship with someone who still isn’t safe
Forgiveness Does Mean:
Taking your power back Choosing freedom over bitterness Releasing the story that says you are stuck in what they did No longer leaking energy into someone who doesn’t deserve to hold your peace hostage
Here’s What I Had to Learn the Hard Way:
I thought staying angry kept me strong.
I thought forgiveness meant weakness — or forgetting.
But the longer I held onto the pain, the more it owned me.
I didn’t want to become a bitter version of myself.
I didn’t want their actions to keep shaping my days.
So I started to let go.
Not all at once — but piece by piece.
Layer by layer.
Breath by breath.
I forgave, not because they deserved it…
But because I did.
You Can Forgive and Still Walk Away
You can choose peace without inviting them back into your life.
You can forgive and still create boundaries.
You can release the weight of it without reconciling with the person who caused it.
That is forgiveness. That is healing. That is power.
If You’re Not Ready Yet — That’s Okay
Forgiveness isn’t a checkbox.
It’s a process.
And sometimes, the first step isn’t letting go of them — it’s letting go of the guilt you carry for not being “over it” yet.
Let yourself be human.
Let yourself feel it all.
And when you’re ready…
forgive to set yourself free.
You’re Not Weak for Feeling It.
You’re Brave for Wanting to Be Free.**
If you’re walking the long road back to yourself —
I see you. I’ve been there. And I’d be honored to walk beside you.