No matter how far you think you have fallen at times in your life, you are not an evil person, not even if you believe that some of the things you did in your past are unforgivable. When I first began addressing my dark times as part of my healing journey, I unearthed a list of troubling things that I had done during my active addiction, things that I wanted to stay buried.
I didn't think I could ever deal with—or let go of—most of those things. But I have.
If you think there is value in it, you can visit your darkness and the dark times in your life, but you don't have to live there anymore. You can learn what you need to from those times by being in reflection on your own, in conversation with other people in recovery, or in therapy.
Spiritual teacher Iyanla Vanzant says that it is our willingness to look at our darkness that empowers us to change. When you look at your darkness, or your shadows, do it with compassion, not judgment, and with self-love, not self-reproach.
We have all had dark periods in our past; we can shine light on them and release them.