Guilt is a feeling of responsibility or remorse for an action you’ve taken, a decision you’ve made, or inaction that conflicts with your moral standards or simply goes against what you think you should have done.
Guilt isn’t limited to moral failings; it can arise in everyday decisions
Sometimes, guilt stems from societal pressures or unrealistic expectations rather than genuine moral conflicts…I often feel guilty, to a greater or lesser extent.
Sometimes it’s because I’ve:
- Eaten something I think I shouldn’t have
- Chosen to go for a run when I think I should have spent that time with my family
- Spent money on myself
- Decided to write this blog post instead of responding to that work email
- Sat down when I perhaps should have done the washing up!
Guilt plays a valuable role in our lives, even if it’s often misplaced
Here are some benefits of guilt:
- Moral Compass: Guides us to distinguish right from wrong and encourages corrective actions or apologies when necessary.
- Social Accountability and Prevention: Reinforces societal norms, fosters empathy, and deters harmful behaviors by promoting understanding, sensitivity, and anticipation of emotional consequences.
- Personal Growth: Helps regulate emotions, reflect on mistakes, and motivates self-improvement and alignment with personal values.
Guilty or not guilty…you get to decide
The key is having a healthy benchmark on when to feel guilt – here’s how…
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Actfullness 