Is guilt a useful emotion? To be honest, I’m not sure. Maybe, if it makes you move your butt to do the things you say you are going to do. But if you just sit there and continue to feel guilty, then I would say, not too useful.
Dump it. You don’t need it. How? Well, first ask yourself what it is exactly that you feel guilty about. Is it something that someone else expects of you, or is it something that you expect of yourself? Which has a higher priority for you?
If it is something that someone else expects of you, it might be something that you feel has no value in your life. So on a list of priorities, where does it fall? Maybe it’s not even on your list. In this case, you just have to decide to take care of yourself and dump the guilt and the pressure of the outside influence. That’s it. Just make the decision. Dump it. You don’t need it. It’s not useful and life is too short.
Now what about if it IS something on your priority list, but maybe it’s not that high up? Doesn’t have to happen immediately, but decide when you can get to it, and go about your life. Dump the guilt.
How about the items that are at the top of your list of priorities that you just don’t do? Ok, well, why aren’t you doing them? Ask yourself why? Afraid it won’t be perfect? Don’t know where to start? It’s too big and overwhelming? Whatever you reason, identify it. You WANT to get this thing done, it’s IMPORTANT to you, and you’re just not doing it, so you feel terrible.
What would make you feel better? Sitting and feeling guilty? Or doing the thing you want to get done? That’s your decision.
This last example comes up a lot in fitness. I have had 3 people recently tell me that my posts on facebook regarding fitness have made them feel guilty, fat and lazy. What does that tell you? It tells me that they think they ‘should’ be exercising but they can’t get themselves to do it.
It’s just one example. It could be ANYTHING! If you want to do it, identify your excuses for not doing it. Then just take one step. Baby steps…
Remember that Martin Luther King Jr quote “Just take the first step. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step”, and hop on out there!!
I am going to look into this more deeply, but in the meantime, please share your thoughts and where you are with your ‘guilt’ in the comments.
Life is TOO short for guilt!! If you want something done, just take the first step!
Cheers to you!
Your Wellness Coach,
Miranda Zukowski