How to Stop Feeling Guilty
Feeling of guilt nag us and ruin our chances of happiness. If you have a guilty conscience for something you did or if you feel unreasonably guilty, you can change this. Here's how to overcome guilty feelings.
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Instructions
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If you've done something wrong, it's time to make restitution. Did you hurt someone's feelings, lie, shoplift, or make a mistake? If you've done financial damage, pay it back. You can send it anonymously if you want, but your conscience will finally be free of that never-returned-library-book or the office supplies you took home from work.
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If it was harm to another person, apologize. Did you turn your back on your children after the divorce, break off a relationship in a hurtful way, or gossip about someone? Write them a letter and tell them you've suffered for the wrong you did to them. Don't make lots of excuses, though it is okay to explain what your thinking was at that time. Tell them you feel badly about it and wish you could change what happened.
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If the person is no longer around or has died, you can still relieve some of the guilt that lingers from your misdeeds. It's mostly ceremonial, but write them a letter telling them you are sorry. In a safe place, read over the letter and think about what you have learned from the experience. Then light a match and burn the letter. This is best done outside or in a fireplace.
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Spend time writing about your thoughts and feelings. Writing helps to get to the root of your guilt feelings. Just exploring the situations where you feel guilty and your thoughts about that can be theraputic. Keep the writing in a safe place where others won't accidentally read it or destroy the writing after it has served its purpose.
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Recognize that some decisions that you made in the past may have been mistakes. At the time you made those decisions, perhaps you were under pressure or not thinking clearly or did not have all the information that you now know. Consciously think this through and realize that you did the best you could under the circumstances.
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In some cases, the feelings of guilt are instilled in you by a parent, a teacher, or religion and may not be valid in your life today. Try to sort out the difference between your current beliefs and life and the situation in the past that you feel guilty about.
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Confess about your transgression. Do this in a safe way, by talking with a priest or minister or by seeing a counselor or psychiatrist. These trained individuals can help you work through the feelings of guilt that have plagued you.
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Resources
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