True Confessions Day

Confession may seem like something purely within the realms of law or religion, but it can actually be a beneficial practice for everyone, especially those who are holding onto unhealthy secrets.

True Confessions Day aims to change the way we view confession and turn it into a tool that people can use to bring about a clearer conscience, healthier relationships and a better sense of well-being overall.

History of True Confessions Day

The act of confession is ancient and can be traced back over 3,000 years to the Vedas, the oldest Hindu scriptures. It’s a common thread throughout various world religions and their sacred texts, including Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Confession is perhaps most commonly associated with Catholicism and its designated confessionals, spaces in which penitent believers can admit their sins to the priest and seek absolution.

In addition to religion, confession has long been a key aspect of law and criminal prosecution. As a matter of fact, it was the Catholic Church’s Inquisition that foregrounded confession as part of the legal process in Europe during the Middle Ages, with suspected heretics investigated by Inquisitors, sometimes using torture, to elicit confessions. Confession can still be an important piece of the puzzle when it comes to prosecution, but nowadays legal bodies tend to be far less reliant on it and much more skeptical of its validity.

While the origins of confession stem from these beliefs and practices, it doesn’t have to be confined to the realms of religion or law by any means, as it also refers to the general release of secrets and personal guilt.

Founded by Thomas & Ruth Roy of Wellcat Holidays™, True Confessions Day is a way of encouraging those keeping secrets (so let’s face it, all of us!) to confess them. The couple have created over 80 occasions to give us all more excuses for a celebration throughout the year, and True Confessions Day is one of them!

The idea is that a designated day of disclosure will help create feelings of relaxation and freedom from guilt. True Confessions Day aims to honor confession as a healthy practice in which secrets can be expressed in a manner that allows growth.

The benefits of confession

This day is all about the practice of honesty, openness in relationships, and clearing the conscience of any negative emotions or thoughts. For some, it may even be about revealing their true self and finally being able to express it without feelings of shame or guilt.

As a key part of various religious practices and beliefs, confession has historically been about the acknowledgment of sinfulness and regarded as a practice needed to obtain forgiveness. For believers, this sacred act brings them closer to their god(s) and sets them back on the right path.

Even if not practiced in a religious setting, speaking harbored secrets aloud can lift a weight off our chest and be beneficial for our mental health. Rather than holding onto feelings of shame, anxiety, fear, and guilt, we can instead relieve ourselves of these and clear the space for a healthier mindset.

Confession can also help mend broken relationships and increase social cohesion. By admitting our mistakes to those we have wronged, we can make not only ourselves but also them feel better about the situation and hopefully earn their forgiveness and renewed trust. Being vulnerable around others also helps strengthen relationships – your act of bravery may even encourage them to share secrets of their own, bringing you closer together.

And confession doesn’t always have to be about negative thoughts or past failings – it can also be things like expressing admiration to someone or admitting that you like a certain hobby. There are countless examples throughout history of grand confessions of love – think Romeo and Juliet, Mr. Darcy to Elizabeth Bennett, and so on – maybe True Confessions Day is a chance for you to finally tell that special someone exactly how you feel?

Ultimately, True Confessions Day encourages people all over the world to find peace by sharing their hidden thoughts, emotions, and experiences with those around them.

How to Celebrate True Confessions Day

Celebrate True Confessions Day by simply talking to people about your thoughts and emotions. If you’re surrounded by loved ones who care and understand, then take the time to build your relationship with them by being honest and open.

If your friends and family are up for it, then you could even organize an event to mark the occasion. Sit in a circle and take it in turns to fess up – who forgot to take the dog for a walk last week, who actually scraped the car five years ago, who’s secretly been taking pottery classes? To add some levity, you could all write down your secrets on pieces of paper, put them in a hat and try to guess which confession belongs to who!

If opening up to loved ones is difficult, then take the time to talk to a therapist or other qualified professional who’s non-judgmental and understanding of you as a person. Another option is to find a support group – there are plenty of online and in-person forums where you can bear your soul, in some instances anonymously, and receive support from people who may well have similar experiences, hopes, dreams, worries, and regrets.

If you’re a person of faith, then speak with the relevant religious leader or other trusted members of your community and carry out the practices associated with confession in your belief system. If you believe that confession is good for the soul, then use True Confessions Day as an opportunity to make your life and the lives of those around you more authentic, open, and guilt-free.