How to Repent/ Do Teshuva
Question
How should a girl of 20 years old do teshuva? And what is teshuva?
Answer
Shalom!
Thank you for your question.
Teshuva means to repent.
It is very impressive that you wish to repent and correct your mistakes. We respect this very much.
In Judaism, there is no such thing as G-d being angry forever. G-d does not want to punish you at all. G-d wants just wants a relationship with you…and it appears you are making these efforts!
We believe that all mankind who has sinned can be cleansed of their sin with prayer and “Teshuva.”
We see this, in fact, in the very first chapters of the Torah, where it says that G-d said to Cain: "Why are you upset, and why has your countenance fallen? If you do good [i.e. repent and change your ways], it will be goo for you [that is, you will be forgiven]. But if you don’t do good, sin rests at the door..but you can overcome it!" (Genesis 4:6-7).
This is how Teshuva is accomplished: Anyone who confesses and regrets their sins and commits not to do such things again will be forgiven for all the wrong they have done. Our G-d is a loving and merciful G-d who wants a relationship with all of us.
Pray to G-d, confess to Him the mistakes you made and resolve not to do such things again and you will be starting off fresh with G-d. No grudges, no punishment.
Best of luck!