dear lisa,

When you're scared you did something wrong

Your nervous system thinks danger is lurking, so it replays every moment on loop. Hold my words: one slip does not erase your goodness.

First, breathe:

Inhale for 4 counts
Hold for 4
Exhale for 6
Repeat 3 rounds

Reality checks

Did you intend to cause harm?

→ If not, you made a mistake, not a moral failing.

Would you judge a friend this harshly?

→ You deserve the same compassion you'd give others.

Is this fixable?

→ If yes, you can make it right. If no, you can learn from it.

Will this matter in a year?

→ Our brains magnify current worries out of proportion.

Things that remain true

💫 Making mistakes is how humans learn and grow
💫 You're not a bad person for doing something imperfect
💫 Everyone—literally everyone—has regrets and missteps
💫 Your worth isn't determined by your mistakes
💫 Feeling guilty shows you care about doing the right thing
💫 You can acknowledge a mistake without defining yourself by it

If you can repair it:

Offer a sincere apology.
Share what you'll do differently.
Follow through gently.

If it's mostly in your head:

Name the fear without dramatics.
Ask what advice you'd give me.
Decide the next aligned action.

You are not the worst thing you've done. You are the sum of your tenderness, attempts, and course corrections. I believe in your ability to repair when needed and to release what isn't yours to carry. Take another breath and come back to the present—we're okay.