A saint is not someone who never falls. It is someone who picks themselves up after each fall.”

Merely mentioning the word “sin” already freaks us out! 

Yenofa says: 

Merely mentioning the word “sin” already freaks us out! We can sometimes have this idea that Christian morality puts so much guilt on our shoulders, that it locks us in shame. As for me, I experience the Sacrament of Reconciliation with it a lot of joy, and I think it is important to say it. It really makes me sad to hear all these preconceived ideas about the Church being an “aloof” entity that wants to make us feel guilty because She's afraid of sin, or that tries to send us to confession as a punishment, like some kind of stern, “wicked stepmother”. But the notion that confession is a guilt-trip is just plain wrong, we need to get past it.
Why? Because the sacrament of confession is actually so beautiful, it is Jesus' mercy! You come in with a troubled soul and leave as white as snow. If you were to die 30 seconds after making a genuine confession: be glad, because you're headed straight to Heaven, your soul is completely ready to be united with Jesus.
In any case, you are fit to receive the Sacred Communion. Communion is the union of your soul with Jesus. After confession, your soul is fully disposed to making this union, so the communion will be total.
On top of that, I find it important to acknowledge our sins by voice. Saying them to a priest, that takes effort, it drives us to face the not-so-pretty aspects of ourselves we would rather sweep under the rug. It makes us realize that we're not all that spotless– putting it simply, we confront the evil within ourselves. The point is not to make us feel guilty, but to let God fill us with His forgiveness, to allow Him to save us. What's more, a priest is present to give you some advice. Talking to a good priest, who offers insightful advice to help you heal, can help you progress.
A friend and I, as soon as we get out of confession, we send a text message to each other : “Now I can die ;)'' - and we both understand what it means. Once we've confessed, we're simply overjoyed”.        

 God's love

Allow yourself to love completely. This way, you will be set to become holy by the grace of God Himself. When we go to confession, we have the humility to acknowledge that we are ill and wounded, and we surrender ourselves to the healing forgiveness of God. By confessing, you are allowing Christ's resurrection to work within you, so that sin and death do not get the final word on your shortcomings. Confession puts you back into a communion of love with the Father and your brethren. 

People are often apprehensive about what the priest might think, but at the end of the day, doesn't this whole encounter boil down to a sinner meeting another sinner? And if you're afraid of how God might judge you, then it's more a matter of pride! A priest once observed: “We are so unoriginal in sinning. Our sins are really unimpressive stuff for God”.  

For those feeling reluctant to go to confession…

Here is Clémentine's testimony:

Confession used to scare me a lot, and I hated telling what I was ashamed of, like my sins, my weaknesses, to a priest, someone I don't know, or even worse, someone I know and who might judge me later. 
On the other hand, I was aware of the benefits of confession and I knew that the Church encourages us to confess. With two friends who were as reluctant as me to go to confession, we agreed to meet once a month, go to Church together, get it done with, and then share a good meal to lift up our spirits! 
This comradely support has borne incredible fruits. It's been two years now since we started this ritual, and we have each experienced a great conversion: now, I am happy to go to confession, because I know that, there, I will receive the love and joy of the Lord through His priest. I obtained immense graces… peace, charity, profound mercy… 
And yet, a few years ago I would go there feeling extremely reluctant. My main motivation was to meet my friends rather than the Lord. Now, it's the other way 'round! Going to confession with them feels more like icing on the cake now. Thank you, my Lord!”        

 A question to ask yourself

Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep. I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.” Luke 15, 6-7

How long has it been since you last gave your soul a good cleanup?