the GUILT factor
How Unregulated Emotions Shape Our Character
Guilt is a complex emotional response that arises from the perception of having done something wrong or harmful. While it can serve as a valuable moral compass, when left unregulated, guilt can significantly shape our character, influencing how we perceive ourselves and interact with others.
Understanding the implications of unprocessed guilt and implementing my suggested healing programme, based on the teachings of Mary Magdalene and Carl Jung, may help us transform this challenging emotion into a source of strength and personal growth.
The Impact of Unregulated Guilt
When feelings of guilt remain unacknowledged or unprocessed, they can lead to several negative outcomes:
Low Self-Worth:
Persistent guilt can erode self-esteem, leading individuals to believe they are unworthy of love, happiness, or success.
Anxiety and Depression:
Unregulated guilt can manifest as chronic anxiety or depression, creating a cycle of emotional distress that hinders personal growth and well-being.
Avoidance Behaviour:
To cope with feelings of guilt, individuals may engage in avoidance strategies, such as procrastination or withdrawal from social situations, further isolating themselves.
Resentment Toward Other:
Guilt can also lead to internalised anger or resentment, as individuals struggle with their feelings and may project those feelings onto others.
my theory is, in completion of my suggested healing programme, heres how a perspective shift could turn experiencing helplessness into superpowers!
While experiencing guilt can be challenging, it can also lead to unique advantages when embraced and managed effectively:
Enhanced Empathy:
Navigating feelings of guilt often heightens sensitivity to the suffering of others, fostering deeper connections and understanding in relationships.
Moral Clarity:
Guilt can serve as a powerful motivator for ethical behaviour, helping individuals align their actions with their values and principles.
Resilience:
Working through guilt can cultivate resilience, enabling individuals to confront their mistakes, learn from them, and move forward with greater strength.
Authenticity:
Acknowledging and processing guilt encourages individuals to embrace their true selves, leading to more genuine interactions and relationships.
Creative Inspiration:
The experience of guilt can serve as a powerful catalyst for creativity, inspiring artistic expression that resonates with both the creator and the audience.
my experience with guilt
I was engaged and my partner had a brain haemorrhage causing a stroke.
He had extensive brain damage and after a year of healing, his personality was like that of a disabled 15 year old.
He had no memory of our relationship and he would treat me terribly.
He didn’t know any better.
I was young and the Doctor told me there would be no further progression with his recovery. I made the hardest decision to leave him and move on with my life.
The guilt I felt was unimaginable.
After shadow work, how do I feel about this from a healed perspective?
As this was many moons ago, I turned to Chat GPT for help with this.
I asked how this guilt would have affected me mentally and then what super powers I achieved by surviving this! 🤖
Mental Impact
Guilt and Shame
Leaving someone you love, especially under such tragic circumstances, can lead to deep feelings of guilt. You may wrestle with questions about whether you did the right thing.
Grief and Loss
You may have experienced a unique kind of grief, not just for the relationship but for the person you lost due to the changes in his personality and abilities.
Stress and Anxiety
The emotional turmoil and uncertainty can lead to increased stress and anxiety, affecting your overall well-being.
Isolation:
You might have felt isolated in your experience, as others may not fully understand the complexity of your situation.
Resilience:
Despite the emotional challenges, you may have developed a stronger sense of resilience and the ability to cope with difficult situations.
Lessons Learned
Self-Care is Essential:
You may have learned the importance of prioritising your own mental health and well-being.
Understanding Relationships:
This experience might have taught you about the complexities of relationships, particularly how they can change over time due to circumstances beyond our control.
Empathy and Compassion:
You likely gained a deeper sense of empathy for others facing similar challenges, understanding the nuances of caregiving and loss.
Setting Boundaries:
You may have learned the importance of setting boundaries for your own emotional safety, even in difficult situations.
The Complexity of Love:
You might have come to understand that love can manifest in many ways, and sometimes, letting go is a form of love too.
MY ADVICE
If you are going through a situation similar to this, I feel it is essential to process these feelings and experiences, possibly with the help of a decent therapist.
Remember that your feelings are valid, and healing takes time.
I was put off seeing a therapist, my first introduction to one was not the best, it was very cold with a complete lack of empathy.
Unfortunately I actually went off the rails when I left my partner. Instead of taking the time to process and heal, I found myself in another relationship that wasn’t the best..
A very valuable lesson this taught me is if you are going through a situation where you are left unbalanced, it is important to heal before you jump into your next relationship. I was very broken and that's exactly what I attracted.
