This is a detailed personal accounting taken daily, as well as a more general overview of the direction, accomplishments and shortcomings of one's life taken periodically, with special emphasis in the period beginning with Rosh Hashonah and concluding with Yom Kippur. The great Classical master, Rabbi Elimelech of Lizensk, states in his Brief List for Proper Living that one must repeatedly confide in another person, whether spiritual counselor or trusted friend, all improper thoughts and impulses which come to one's heart and mind, whether these occur during meditation, while lying idle awaiting onset of sleep, or at any time during the day, and one should not withhold anything because of shame or embarrassment. Anyone familiar with the siddur knows that confession before God is not restricted to Yom Kippur. A detailed confession is required twice daily. Perhaps the greatest difficulty here is admitting to oneself, and one must stand in admiration of the wisdom of this requirement.
Many individuals make verbal confessions from which they are completely detached.
Confessions that are not accompanied by a sincere regret for the wrong deed and commitment to change are worse than worthless. A sincere admission of a mistake to God or to another person elicits forgiveness, and so should this admission elicit forgiveness to oneself. Yet many people seem unable to forgive themselves even when the misdeed is acknowledged and sincerely regretted. These individuals carry a heavy load of guilt, and this remains a hindrance to all. For the alcoholic, this unalleviated guilt is a frequent cause of relapse.