A guy got me to send nudes to him ~ Feeling Guilty

I'm 16.

A guy got me to send nudes to him.

I have a boyfriend and the guy had a girlfriend.

I feel like the worst person ever the people that do know about it forgave me and consoled me, except my best friend.

Even my boyfriend and I talked about it and worked through it, but I don’t think she wants to forgive me.

She just said I don’t think you wanna know the truth, and I said I know what happened and I know I messed up pretty badly.

Then she just changed the subject.

Everything is so confusing, I don’t know what to think.

I still feel extremely guilty, and on top of that I have an unsupportive friend, what do I do?

~ Feeling Guilty

Dear Feeling Guilty,

I'm sorry to hear about what you're going through and the guilt and confusion you're feeling.

It sounds like you're carrying a heavy burden right now.

Please know that what happened was not your fault and you deserve compassion and understanding.

It's important to remember that everyone handles things differently, and it's okay if your best friend is struggling to forgive you.

Give her the space she needs and try to understand where she's coming from.

In time, your friendship may heal, but it may also change or not go back to the way it was before.

It's important to accept that this is okay and to not let it define your self-worth.

It's great that your boyfriend has been supportive and you two were able to work through this together.

That takes a lot of courage and vulnerability.

Continue to lean on the people who are there for you and don't be too hard on yourself. (We all make mistakes, I know I've made plenty of them.)

If you feel it is needed don't shy away from seeking support from a therapist. We are trained to help you process your feelings and work through the guilt and confusion you may be experiencing.

They can also help you build healthier coping skills and relationships in the future.

Remember, you are worthy of love, forgiveness, and compassion.

You made a mistake, and that makes you human.

You're doing your best and that is all anyone can ask for.