Most people have moments when they feel guilty about something – whether it’s an action they’ve taken or something that happened in the past. Unfortunately, guilt can be a significant source of stress and unhappiness. It can significantly take a toll on your mental health and emotional well-being. But does it have to be that way?
The good news is that guilt can be overcome and managed with the right approach – here are some tips to help you break free from a cycle of shame:
Acknowledge Your Feelings
Instead of suppressing your feelings or trying to push them away, acknowledge them and let yourself feel them thoroughly before you take any steps forward. Once you recognise what you’re feeling, take some time to sit with it instead of running away from it – this will help you gain clarity on the situation and make sure that you don’t carry any guilt into the future.
In addition, talking to a trusted friend or family member can be a great way to express your emotions and get some perspective.
Take Responsibility for Your Actions (or Inactions)
If you did something wrong, own up to it! This doesn’t mean beating yourself up over it; rather, it means recognising what happened, apologising if necessary, and trying not to repeat the same mistake. Taking responsibility for your actions can be a challenging but rewarding step towards living a guilt-free life.
You can also take responsibility for your inaction. If you feel guilty about not doing something, make a plan to do it or find a way to make up for it in some other way, such as volunteering your time or donating money.
Make Plans for Your Future
One of the best ways to move on from guilt is to focus on the future. Make plans and set goals that will help you break away from any negative emotions or behaviours that may have caused your guilt in the first place. This could be anything from taking up a new hobby or exercising more to building better relationships with your loved ones. See my goal journal below!
Forgive Yourself (and Others)
It can be hard to forgive yourself after making a mistake, but this is one of the most critical steps towards letting go of guilt and moving forward with your life in peace and happiness. You should also practice forgiving others who may have wronged or hurt you.
This will help free up emotional energy so that you can focus on your well-being instead of dwelling on past hurts or grudges! Moreover, try not to get caught up in who is ‘right’ or ‘wrong.’ Instead, focus on understanding and learning from your experiences. This will help you move on.
Make Amends (if Necessary)
If your actions or words impacted someone, make amends with them if possible – this could include apologising or taking other steps to make things right between both parties again.
Making amends can be difficult but ultimately helps move through feelings of guilt so both parties can begin healing from whatever happened in the past. Don’t forget that this is a two-way street – be willing to accept an apology from the other person and move on.
Move Forward with Intentionality & Integrity
Make sure that any future decisions are made intentionally. With integrity – this means checking in with yourself often about how different choices may affect others around you as well as considering how those choices could impact your well-being down the line! This will ensure that you continue living a life free from regrets or feelings of guilt about past mistakes or decisions. The more you practice intentional living, the easier it will become.
Practise Self-Care
Allowing yourself time for self-care activities like yoga, meditation, journaling, or anything else that makes you feel relaxed and recharged is vital! Practising self-care allows you to replenish your energy to show up in life feeling more connected to yourself, your values, and your purpose. It’s also essential for maintaining mental health during times when we’re struggling with feelings of guilt!
The Bottom Line
No one is perfect! But as a human being, you always have the power to make a change and live guilt-free. By taking responsibility for your actions, forgiving yourself and others, making amends if necessary, moving forward with intentionality and integrity, and prioritising self-care – you can start living a life where you don’t have to be weighed down by feelings of guilt or regret. Good luck!
