Member-only story
Have You Really Done Something Wrong, Or Are You Just Programmed To Feel Like You Have?
Sometimes, guilt is not real. It’s a lie you’ve been taught to believe
Guilt exists for a reason. It’s a natural, built-in emotional response that serves as a kind of inner compass — it’s meant to signal to us that we’ve done something wrong, hurt someone, or violated our values.
Without guilt, we wouldn’t have that moral check that helps us reflect on our actions, take accountability, and grow from our mistakes. It’s a tool that keeps us in touch with our integrity, helping us stay aligned with who we want to be and how we want to show up in the world.
But what happens when guilt shows up, and there’s nothing to apologize for? When you’ve made a decision that felt right for you, when you’ve chosen to put yourself first, or when you’ve simply said no — and yet, the guilt still follows you like a shadow?
This is where guilt becomes tricky.
In that case, guilt is no longer serving as a moral guide; instead, it distorts your reality, making you feel like you’ve done something wrong when you haven’t. It’s a lie that tricks you into questioning your worth and your decisions, even when they’re exactly what you need to feel whole.
