𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐑𝐮𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰

I used to be an expert at feeling guilt. Not just for the big things, but for everything.

Silly things I said as a kid. Mistakes I made decades ago. Sometimes even with people who aren’t here anymore.

Guilt was my constant companion. For a long time, I thought it made me responsible, caring, good.

But it also made me exhausted. It kept me stuck in cycles of over-apologizing, over-giving, and over-functioning. It whispered, “You should be doing more” or “You shouldn’t have said that.”

Guilt Is Not the Same as Conscience

Just because guilt feels familiar doesn’t mean it’s true.

I’ve come to understand that the guilt I carry isn’t serving me anymore. It has caused enough suffering and pain. And it’s time to let it go.

A Simple Practice

At a recent meditation retreat, I connected with something powerful. Beginning and ending each practice, we would breathe deeply and repeat:

“Let it go. Let it go. Let it go. Let it go. Let it go.”

It was simple, but profound. Each repetition helped me release just a little of that guilt.

A Gentle Reminder

You can care for others and still honor your own needs.

Guilt is not proof of love, and it doesn’t have to run the show.

Reflection Question: What guilt are you ready to stop carrying?

Coming next: Finding Yourself Again

✨ If this spoke to you, I’d love for you to subscribe to my blog or connect with me on LinkedIn. And if you’d like support in releasing guilt and reclaiming your energy, you can always book a free consultation.