Hello Mandy. I get occasional updates in my emails regarding the forums on this page and your post caught my eye. I'm not on this forum much at all, I just skim through the emails I get once in a great occasion.
I just wanted to let you know that second chances are a blessing and I hope that you take it very seriously and learn from your mistakes and don't fall back into bad behaviors.
I acknowledge that people can sometimes change their ways if they really want to, so I encourage you to ignore any bad comments from people on here and just move forward in your life towards better things for yourself.
My sister is a recovering drug addict and was in and out of trouble because of the drugs for years. If it wasn't for her accidental pregnancy, she would probably still be struggling with drugs.
I know that if you are earnest in changing your ways that you are probably going to make it your goal to spend the rest of your life trying to be better than you were. Some people will never see you as good because of what you have done, and that's something you are going to have to accept.
Although my sister has been clean for 7 years, I still wonder in the back of my mind if she's capable of falling back into her addictions and resume the stealing and lying and the taking advantage of people. I always think twice before trusting her, and that's something you might have to expect as well. The doubt will always be there, but the only person you have to prove yourself to... is yourself. If you know that you're different now, that's all that matters.
Also keep reminding yourself why you don't want to be where you used to be. Keep proving yourself that you're better than your younger self, and others may see that too. I encourage you to start a gratitude journal. It may help with your healing. From an empathetic spirit. I send out a prayer for you to have the right kind of strength.