Guilt is an emotion that we have all experienced and it is not always easy to overcome it. There are times that we humans have done things that make ourselves regret, thus feeling guilty. This guiltiness can sometimes torture our mental health and that is why we often say ‘guilt has a lot of power’. Although we often feel like guilt is an extremely negative emotion, this feeling can actually help us acknowledge our actions and remind us to improve our behavior. It may also help us to identify our mistakes and think more carefully next time.
No matter if it’s guilt that has been brought up by others or a constant feeling of guilt, there are always ways to overcome and deal with this emotion, so it wouldn’t continue to drag you down.
1.Forgiving yourself
As said in the introductory paragraph, humans make mistakes, and no one is ever perfect. Therefore one always needs grace and forgiveness. We often tend to hold a much higher standard for ourselves, but we have to accept the fact that we cannot be the best version of ourselves all the time. We need to understand that by self-forgiving, we will be more careful and responsible of our life choices.
2.Learn from the past
We can’t always mend every situation, and it is not that easy to make things right. This is why learning from the past is crucial to those who often feel guilty. Try asking yourself: What are the factors that led to the mistake I made? Is there anything that I would've done differently? Reflecting on the past can not only help us identify our mistakes and stop feeling guilty, it can also help us to become a better person.
3. Talk to a therapist or a trusted person
Bottling up your emotions is very tiresome. Therefore it is always a great idea to talk about what is bothering you with your loved ones. Although you might be scared that others will judge you for what you have done, I am sure that your loved ones can definitely offer a lot of support and help. Asking them for advice can also open up different perspectives, which can always make a difference, especially if it’s something that you can’t control.
At the end of the day, guilt is something that has already happened. If you find it hard to let go of this emotion, you can always start by forgiving yourself. Try not to be so hard on yourself and accept the person that you are. Open up to new opportunities for forgiveness and a happier future.