Alcohol, drugs, abuse and other traumas cause anguish that is difficult to forget.
Forgetting the past in order to move forward with life involves understanding the role of past traumas in your personal development. Ignoring these traumas delays personal growth and allows the past to resurface. Professor of political science Gregory Streich writes that "in forgetting, individuals not only forget the negative and problematic aspects ... but also forget what is empowering and enlightening." Successfully moving on with life means accepting past trauma, forgiving its causes and applying any lessons learned to future events.
Instructions
1. Recognize and end any self-destructive behaviors that you use to cope with the past. For example, stop drinking or using drugs that prevent you from thinking about the past.
2. Identify events and relationships in the past that have a negative impact on your current mental state. Consider all interpersonal relationships, traumatic events and professional and personal failures.
3. Abandon the idea of fairness when considering traumatic events in the past. Stop holding on to the resentment that accompanies the belief that life has treated you unfairly. Overcome resentment by focusing on positive outcomes and the strength you have acquired from adversity.
4. Accept negative situations which you could not control. Understand the motivations of people who harmed you. Realize that people who act or think negatively harm themselves more than they harm others.
5. Focus on your own happiness and others' happiness. Replace brooding with activities that develop your body and mind. Socialize with people who have a positive attitude.
Tags: traumatic events, with life