I encourage everyone to find someone of confidence, at least a priest (in persona Christi) that they can confide in, to confess their sins. Not once. But regularly.
The Bible tells us to confess to one another, and to Christ:
"Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed." — James 5:16
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." — 1 John 1:9
The Bible doesn't leave us without a path back. Reconciliation is built into the covenant. Christ gave His apostles the authority to forgive sins. That authority flows through the priesthood to this day. The sacrament isn't tradition for tradition's sake. It's the ordinary means of grace for sins committed after Baptism:
"Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them" (John 20:23)
The Bible tells us of the forgiveness of sin:
"Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow." — Isaiah 1:18
The Bible also warns us of presumption:
"If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." — 1 John 1:8
I myself am always crossing the battle of my sinful nature. I aspire to sainthood (Deus Vult), but I would hesitate to declare myself one. Until the final day, I will keep confessing.
Lest we be like
@Laser, (God love him, as do I) declaring ourselves saints before the final day. Presuming the position of God Himself.
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"And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." — Matthew 16:18
"The pillar and foundation of truth." — 1 Timothy 3:15
