Guilt is an emotion a person experiences when they are?convinced that they caused harm to another person. While guilt does not feel good, it has many positives to it. ?
The Differences between Guilt and Shame
- Guilt alerts us to some?action?we did that was wrong.
- Guilt can motivate us to take some corrective action.
- Guilt can lead to positive change and deeper relationships.
- Guilt can be very short-lived and teach us valuable lessons.
Like guilt, shame is an emotion a person experiences when they are convinced that they caused harm to another person. Like guilt, shame does not feel good. However, unlike guilt, it has?NO?positives to it.
- Shame drowns us in a feeling that we are wrong, not worthy.
- Shame often steals our energy and hinders us from taking corrective action.
- Shame lingers on and often is at the foundation of ongoing mental health and substance abuse problems.
- Shame teaches us that we are bad and hurts our relationships.
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Strategies to Reduce, Move Past, and Let Go of Guilt:
- Analyze what you are thinking. See what is rational and makes sense… and what is irrational.
- Apologize well to the person who you feel was hurt by your actions… in a timely manner, with a good heart, with no expectations of getting a certain reaction back from the other.
- Apologize well to yourself… then let it go.
- Reflect on and be grateful for what you learned from this experience.
- Focus on the “present moment.”
