Guilt: An Emotion That Eats You from Inside

By | Last Updated: 16 January 2023

Have you ever felt guilty for the things that you did unintentionally in the angst of anger? Feels bad, right? The feeling where we start questioning our actions and intentions for that person, where we beat ourselves out for not keeping control of our emotions, where we start imagining the things we could have done instead. That feeling, that damm feeling is a guilt trip.

This blog is about a very intense feeling called “Guilt”. Guilt is not always about the things we have done; at times it is also about the things we couldn’t do. Both of these situations are capable of eating a person from the inside out. Keep reading to know how you can deal with Guilt effectively and efficiently.

Analyzing Complex Emotions like Guilt

Guilt comes naturally from within when you get this feeling that you did something unacceptable and wrong. It also comes when you realize you didn’t do anything when there was a lot to do instead.  

See, human emotions are complex okay! Guilt, courage, fear, self-esteem, confidence, and trust are all interrelated. Every emotion affects the other and the entire system gets imbalanced.

So, we must be aware of them. You can ask some questions like why am I feeling whatever I am feeling right now? And What things happened that triggered these unwanted feelings? Questioning yourself like this will not only provide you with the necessary answers but will also help you analyze the situation better.

Firstly, let me tell you that Guilt is not a bad thing and there is nothing wrong with you. Feeling guilty about the things you know you did wrong is a sign that you accept your wrongdoings. Accepting what you did wrong is a courageous act in itself. Now, instead of whining about what is already said and done, you can gracefully take a lesson from that mistake and try not to repeat it ever again.

Different ways through which guilt impacts our lives

·        Everyone makes mistakes, right? It is quite common to mistakes if you are a human. But guilt makes you feel like you cannot afford to do anything wrong.

·        Being sensitive is acceptable, but guilt can make you oversensitive towards every action you take. In this case, you should remember that life should never be taken too seriously and that you should avoid things that are not in your control.

·        Though there are various negative sides to this emotion there is this good thing about the guilt that nobody notices. When you are deeply guilty about the bad things you have done, you change. Yes, and this change is for good. You try to be better and more aware.

The Art of Gracefully Moving on and Leaving the Guilt Behind

Now it’s time for you to say bye to your sad and guilty self. The blame game never really works you know, neither with others nor with yourself.

·        Guilts are of various types, you have to find out yours and start working on it effective immediately.

·        If you said some mean things to someone, apologies as soon as possible. This way it will be easier for both of you to move on from that incident.

·        If you are guilty about the things you didn’t do, the chances you didn’t take, the opportunities you missed, remember that everything good or bad happens for a reason. Maybe another life-changing opportunity is waiting for you next door.

·        Now accept that what’s done is done. Nothing or nobody can change the past. But the present and future are still all yours. You have this amazing power that you aren’t aware of. The power to choose. You can choose if you want to whine about the past or dream about a beautiful future.

·        Let’s get one thing straight first, always remember this quote “Perfection is a myth”. Yes, it is indeed. Every time you overthink a decision or an action, please remember that you cannot and never should be perfect. You are a human and that is perfection in itself.

·        One thing which I find the most effective is making a journal. Yes, start writing about everything and anything. Every single stupid, crazy, guilty thought you have ever had, just write it down. It works like wonders, trust me.

Conclusion

Never try to avoid or neglect any emotion of yours. Every emotion that you feel, whether it be happiness, sadness, guilt, or something else is equally important.

Never be ashamed of whatever you are feeling or experiencing within yourself because it is perfectly normal. Secondly, gracefully express and let it go. If you avoid expressing your feelings, you will store them up within yourself and it is even more harmful.