We all feel guilt. It is the usual reaction when we have a loss or other trauma, particularly when we feel that someone has been physically or spiritually victimized. Life events can take a toll on us on many levels. The resulting guilt can diminish the way we feel about ourselves, particularly when our resources are challenged. In addition, we feel guilt when we don’t act in the way that we expect ourselves to. This can lead us into a spiral of second-guessing ourselves and assigning blame when we don’t react properly. Again, this self-assigned guilt can take a toll.
- Guilt leads to cloudy thoughts
When our brains feel foggy, it leads to distracted thoughts, an inability to learn new things, and reduced concentration. If you have difficulty remembering key bits of concentration, it could be caused by guilt.
- Weight gain can be linked to guilt
Guilt causes stress, and when you are stressed, you want comfort food. Unfortunately, these foods aren’t always good for you; the calories stick around permanently, even if they make you feel good temporarily. This leads to more guilt and stress, and the cycle continues. If you get into the habit of making good choices when it comes to nutrition, you will feel less comforted by doughnuts and the like.
- Guilt can hold you back from your life’s enjoyment
If you feel guilty, relaxing and enjoying your life is impossible. Guilt can tell you that you do not deserve the good things that come your way. If you can’t respond happily to life’s joys like a wedding or baptism, it could be that your guilt is stopping you.
- Guilt causes you to punish yourself
Guilt can make you feel like you deserve pain and suffering. It may be that you feel like you can achieve solace from penance, that it can make you better. It is only natural since we many cultures, feel pain helps purify the soul and spirit. This type of self-punishment can manifest as negative self-talk and even go so far as self-mutilation. If you have gone this far, seek medical attention.
- There are better ways to survive guilt
It sounds simple, resolve your guilt to feel better. If you need to apologize, do it! If you absolutely can’t, do kind things for other people. Ask the universe for forgiveness. If the person you have wronged has passed on, seeking help from a psychic medium can help. Your unresolved guilt can punish others like your immediate family and friends. When you can’t be your best self, others suffer.
Realize that everyone is only human and that you shouldn’t have to pay for your mistakes for the rest of your life. Make amends and move on.