That Guilty Feeling!

😫Irrational Guilt😫

When we mistakenly assume responsibility for a situation, or overestimate the suffering caused to another, it can be very damaging if we don’t take steps to resolve it.

Mental disorders like anxiety, sadness, dysphoria (permanent discontent), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) have all been connected to excessive unjustified guilt. It can make people who experience it feel like a burden to others around them.

Unresolved guilt can also lead to poor focus and productivity, depression, anxiety, and sleep deprivation. Our relationships, day-to-day activities, and general perspective of life may all suffer as a result.

These are some suggestions for coping with guilt:

🙏🏻Practise mindfulness: Mindful meditation focuses on breathing as a way of paying attention to the moment.

🎶Distract yourself with whatever helps you relax: Your favourite music, a book, some exercise or just a breath of fresh air.

🧐Be proactive: if you feel that your guilt is justified, and you’ve come to this decision through rational thinking, take action. Learn from your mistakes, make amends and move the fuck on. Don’t beat yourself up about it: Constantly revisiting past mistakes won’t benefit anyone, least of all yourself.

😇Remember that perfection doesn’t exist: looking for the perfect solution can lead to mental ‘gridlock’, which is unhelpful. Learn to accept the ‘best’ solution for the circumstances instead and keep a sense of perspective.

There’s no magical solution to guilty feelings. But if they’re justified, it’s much healthier NOT to try and get rid of them. Instead, accept them and use them to behave more positively in the future.

Claire - Sentient in Harmony 🌹x

www.sentientinharmony.com