Guilt is an Emotional Affliction

Guilt can make life very hard to live. Most people who feel guilty about something, do so because they feel guilty for not doing something. Guilt by definition prevents you from doing something, but this feeling can often times be multiplied causing you to act in ways that are not in your best interest. People who suffer from guilt often feel guilty for things they didn't do. Many people who are guilty feel the need to punish themselves by putting themselves through what they perceive as the consequences of their actions. They believe that if they don't act like they "should", that somehow their actions will justify their behavior.


People who experience guilt often times feel a lack of control over their lives. The feeling of guilt often causes people to make decisions they are not sure of. The feeling of guilt often causes people to procrastinate. The feeling of guilt causes people to give up on things that they once felt were very important. This often results in people not living up to their full potential in many cases.

The biggest problem with feeling guilty about your actions is that you feel trapped in a never ending cycle of punishment and reward. Once you start feeling guilty about something in your life, you begin to find more reasons to do it in the future. This never ending cycle only ends up hurting you in the long run.

To get out of this vicious circle of guilt, there are a few things that you can do to help. The first is to identify and write down the causes of your guilt. Gather as many facts as you can about the incident that caused your guilt. If you are able to pin down the cause, that is great. However, if you cannot pinpoint the cause, that does not mean you should not try to find out what it is.

If you have identified the cause, then the next step is to try to understand why you feel so guilty. Think about the real or imagined consequences of acting in a certain way. Next, figure out how you can justify your behavior to yourself or others. Try to put yourself in situations where you will have to act a certain way. In the process of your thinking, you will likely discover that you have a better understanding of why you feel guilty.

After you have thought about your behavior and your explanations for it, talk to a friend, family member, or a coach. Express to them what you have learned from your experiences. Ask them for help in understanding your feelings and in helping you overcome them. Many people struggling with guilt do not feel comfortable talking to others. In this case, you might want to enlist the support of a coach or support group.

Do not allow yourself to get down. If you are having trouble accepting your guilt, you may need to seek professional help. You might also want to talk to a therapist or attend therapy sessions. Therapy can help you address your feelings and help you gain a new perspective.

Remember, feeling guilty is perfectly normal. It is your responsibility to recognize when you are feeling it and to control your reactions. Doing so can make you more productive and happier. Find support for yourself and for others if you are struggling with guilt. Guilt is a natural emotion that if left unchecked can greatly diminish your quality of life.

Remember that you have the ability to change your life. Do not let your feelings stop you from taking advantage of your capabilities. Do not spend time feeling guilty about the things you do that you are capable of doing. Your life will be much more enjoyable and successful if you are able to live your life to its fullest!

Learning to listen to your feelings can be very helpful in controlling your guilt. When you learn to listen to your feelings, you can find ways to deal with them. You can then start making changes to change your behavior patterns and to eliminate your guilt.


There are many resources available on this topic of feelings, including books, websites, support groups, and personal reflections. Guilt is an emotion that if left unchecked can have a negative impact on our lives. We all have the ability to change our behavior patterns and to eliminate our guilt. Recognizing your own feelings is the first step in learning to control your guilt. If you find that you are experiencing guilt, then you need to find ways to deal with it.