Learning to forgive ourselves is not easy but it essential for our wellbeing. When we forgive ourselves we allow ourselves to be free of the past and begin to heal and grow. It's through forgiveness that we make meaning out of our suffering and restore our self-esteem. It's a chance to tell a new story of who we are but we need to be authentic. We won't be able to enjoy the peace of forgiving ourselves by faking it. We must endeavour to take an honest look at ourselves and to go through the process.

There are many layers to forgiving ourselves. Being able to acknowledge a mistake, and to attempt to put it right is one level. Feeling that we are unworthy of forgiveness and being steeped in shame for not being perfect is another deeper level.

This two-hour workshop will look into why we find it so hard to forgive ourselves and what we can do about it. We'll explore the steps we can take to forgive ourselves and to see it as a process of learning, rather than a source of blame. We'll touch on how shame and the illusion of perfection can prevent us from having a healthy sense of ourselves.

The workshop will be interactive and include talks, video clips, exercise and opportunities for questions. Participants will receive a PDF of quotes, reflections and exercises.