[arthurus]

Contemplate past sins. At Confession if it is just too much in one session to confess to all of them, then confess some. Then go again soon and again until you are caught up. You know you will not remember all of them so you end a confession with "and those sins I do not remember..." It is hard and it is daunting but once you have done it you will truly feel like a new person. That goes for Byzantine Rite as well. Frequent Confession thereafter will keep you conscious of staying right and it will become easier and easier. The hardest part of a first confession is thinking "I can't tell him that" so you relate the ones you think the worst first.

[Catmom]

How frequently do you recommend confession after I get this out of the way?

[Jeff Chandler]

Contemplate past sins. At Confession if it is just too much in one session to confess to all of them, then confess some. Then go again soon and again until you are caught up.

This is excellent advice. Confess the sins you feel are a barrier between you and God. Then go back in a few weeks and confess those sins you may have forgotten, not because they haven't been forgiven, but because it is important that you confess all your sins. Do not allow too much time go between confessions because it is a source of grace, and because confession allows you to receive grace in the Eucharist.

If you sense you are receiving good counseling from a particular priest, return to him for confession. If not, go to another priest next time.

The best advice I ever got from a priest in confession was to include God in my life, every day. Pray in every endevour. He said that he enjoys his life, every day, and that I should too. That I should appreciate and find joy in my wife. And again, go to confession at least once a month.

I fail in representing his advice, but I found it life changing.