Hey guys! Been a while since I posted, but I assure you I lurk here every day, reading all the threads. I love this place!

Anyway, something popped in my head early this morning as I was drinking my coffee. Religionists have their gods to pray to and ask forgiveness for things they've done wrong. Basically a built-in conscious clearing system for whenever the need arises. But how do we atheists forgive ourselves when we do or say things we later regret?

There are a few specific instances in my life where I said or did something I really regret. All those times I was under incredible stress or pressure. I try not to live with regret, but every once in a while those instances pop into my head, and I feel bad. I always do my best to learn from my mistakes, and to not make the same ones again. I console myself with this fact, but sometimes the past still bothers me. How do you all forgive yourselves for things you regret doing/saying?