Correlation does not imply causation? Maybe I didn't read the research right, but what if people who have the ability to change themselves and stop / decrease p

Correlation does not imply causation? Maybe I didn't read the research right, but what if people who have the ability to change themselves and stop / decrease procrastinating, because the mere fact that they managed to stopped procrastinating (e.g. stopped a negative behavior in their mind, and got good results out of it), they were able to forgive themselves for past procrastinations? E.g. if someone was addicted to drugs, and managed to go clean, they are more likely to forgive themselves (and others to forgive them) than those who just keep taking drugs, right?. Any 5 years old will tell you that if the bully started becoming nice, it will be easier to forgive them than if they stayed a bully. forgiving oneself is not that different than forgiving others, and if you correct your ways, it's easier to forgive yourself, just as much as it is easier for others to forgive you. no? what am I missing?