Weekly Prompt #20: Do you have any guilt? How did it make you feel?
Hello everyone, I hope everyone is having a good week.
A couple of weeks ago we discussed- How does self-esteem impact your daily life? If you haven't checked yet, please click here to add your thoughts.
This week's prompt is: Do you have any guilt? How did it make you feel?
Take a moment to reflect on your guilts and how they made you feel. Remember, managing your emotions is an ongoing journey, and it's okay to seek support and guidance along the way. Please share and discuss here among us.
Join us in the 24/7 General Support Group Chat to share and support each other.
@ASilentObserver I feel guilty for not engaging conversations with my mother. Not anymore. She's toxic and not good for me.
@CallMeRachel2 I am sorry to hear that Rachel. It sounds like you're struggling with feelings of guilt over your relationship with your mother. Those emotions can be really difficult to grapple with. What's weighing most heavily on your mind right now? Please know we are all here with you to listen to and to support.
@ASilentObserver 😔 I have a lot of guilt actually. I know everyone says it's not my fault, I was a victim I did nothing wrong. But still I feel guilty that I let them do those things. I feel guilty that I didn't do more. Especially when it came to my son. They took him😥 he didn't survive in their hands very long. It really kills you on the inside
@Tinywhisper11 I'm so sorry to hear about the deep pain and loss you've experienced. It's understandable that you would feel guilt in this tragic situation where you were also a victim. Your feelings of grief and sadness come through clearly. What keeps your memory of your son alive in your heart during this difficult time? You don't deserve to bear this burden alone. We are all her ewith you to listen to and to support
@ASilentObserver ❤❤ my carers put a cross under the willow tree in the garden for him🙂 I go sit outside practically every morning, and talk to him. It was recently is birthday, he would be 12 years old now. So yeah I was only 11 years old when I gave birth to him. I was a slave till I was 18. Then I got rescued, I didn't have a voice. I was scared. I couldn't protect him
@Tinywhisper11 I'm so sorry to hear about your painful experiences. It sounds like you've endured tremendous hardships and loss at a very young age. You showed incredible strength and resilience to have survived and found safety. While the past can't be changed, I'm glad you're in a safer place now. We are all here with you, Tiny.
@ASilentObserver ❤❤ thankyou
@Tinywhisper11
I am so sorry for your loss.
I don't know what it means to be a mother - I never had children, and I'm 35 now and don't plan on being in a long term relationship anymore. So I will never know exactly what you have experienced. Probably some emotions that are deeper than what the majority of people go through, myself included, and I've been through a lot.
Please know that you are loved, valued, accepted, and heard. <3
@BriLovesEveryone ❤❤
Bri, I just want to encourage you that you’re not “too old” and that you can always find love again. :) It’s not too late and there is someone out there that will help you feel safe enough to do so.
I have a sense of guilt, and that's enough to get me down.
@Wiktorusia It sounds like you're experiencing difficult feelings of guilt. What's weighing on you at this moment? Please know that you are not alone in feeling this way sometimes and that these feelings don't define you or make you a bad person.
This is a very good question- it’s like a spectrum I guess for everyone. To have some guilt is to have some care about how your behavior impacts others. I feel like I do - there are moments I’ve had in the rooms where I’m like oh sh…… (excuse my language sorry 🤭) that comment/joke I made can be interpreted as rude and I own up to it but thankfully nobody saw it like that. I wholeheartedly try to be fair and sensitive in my communication. When I was newbie at 7 cups whenever someone’s comments were annoying/dis encouraging I would tell them instead of taking them aside which I now do as someone may not tell you they exp shame when corrected in a group situation .
@GoldenRuleJG It sounds like you've given this some thoughtful reflection. Exploring our impact on others can bring insights into how to communicate with more care and sensitivity. You're making an effort to have difficult conversations in a way that prevents shaming, and that shows real compassion. What kinds of realizations have helped you continue growing in this area?
@ASilentObserver what is helpful for me is knowing that there are things that are universally rude (e.g. not saying hello and greeting when you meet someone) and different things considered rude across culture . Honesty and compassion in communication must work together. Maybe sometimes I feel my comment can come off rude because it’s considered rude in my culture (e.g. a big no no if you don’t say please or thank you ).
@GoldenRuleJG Thank you for sharing your perspective. Cultural differences in communication styles can understandably lead to misunderstandings at times. What thoughts do you have on how to navigate those differences with compassion for yourself and others? You seem interested in open communication while respecting various viewpoints.
Also thank you for the kind words Golden. Means a lot! It is our collective learning and suppor.t. I appreciate your support to the community
@ASilentObserver I love your humility observer it’s this quality that makes you shine ✨
Cultural differences in communication styles can understandably lead to misunderstandings at times. What thoughts do you have on how to navigate those differences with compassion for yourself and others?
answer: I say I’m an imperfect human being and experience of not being received well has made my cautious and considerate at times. I can extend compassion towards others and myself (although it’s more difficult for myself). It goes for everyone that we need to be careful how we say things - tackle the behavior not the person approach ❤️
Well erm… when I communicate I try to take the approach of imagine talking to the person face to face. I’m unashamed to say sorry when I am in the wrong.
*I ask myself is honesty more important than empathy or is empathy more so than honesty - what does this person need from me?
*How would I feel if X,Y was said to me
*Is the offence caused because comments were rude or because it’s a trigger
So much to debate about and consider
@GoldenRuleJG Thank you for sharing your thoughtful approach to navigating cultural differences with compassion. It seems communication and understanding others are important to you. You seem dedicated to handling interactions with care for all people involved.
@ASilentObserver
I grew up in a kind of extreme religious environment where guilt was the number one conversation, but it was used to manipulate and turn ordinary children into future adults that either also became extreme, or had serious emotional issues from their experiences. I know I am not alone because my sister still has severe anxiety over religion or religious conversations, and I've met other people on the same path.
I have been in this weird limbo for a little bit, because I started challenging my own beliefs after I realized I was becoming extremist and manipulative. I did extra research, I searched my heart...this has been going on for about a year... and when I would think of leaving the religion, I would get severe panic.
Now, I found a place to live away from the influences I had, but all my connections and family are still in that religious extremist environment, and when I don't attend the things that are expected of me from them, they almost immediately try to "correct" me or they cut me off. I've been trying to establish myself in what I truly want to believe or practice better, but I can trace all my anxiety and panic attacks that I have back to feeling guilty about leaving their system.
@BriLovesEveryone Thank you for sharing your story with us. It sounds like growing up in an environment focused so heavily on guilt has left a deep impact. Leaving that system and establishing your own beliefs is a big step, and it's understandable that it's stirring up difficult feelings of anxiety and panic. What sorts of things have you found most helpful so far in your process of establishing what feels right to you?
@ASilentObserver
I feel guilty for needing a therapist. It makes me feel awful. I actually don't have one currently as well, but I still feel this way.
@convivialVillage7837 It's understandable to feel guilt about needing support. Feeling awful is truly difficult to go through alone. You deserve to take good care of yourself. What thoughts or beliefs make you feel this way about therapy?
@ASilentObserver
I feel guilty whenever I am unable to help someone with something. I know it is not my job to care for everyone, but the feeling still creeps in and I always feel guilty for not doing more.
@okarina It sounds like you often feel the weight of caring for others. Feeling unable to help can be difficult. What matters most is that you are there with empathy and compassion. You are someone who truly values being there for people. What gives you strength during those times?
I feel guilty for having sex when on a break even though he was emotionally abusive for over a decade. 😔
@brokenjdh I am sorry to hear that, broken. It sounds like you're experiencing mixed emotions around your relationship. What feelings have you been struggling with the most since your break? You don't deserve to feel guilty for living your life how you choose.
@ASilentObserver I have had a since of guilt for a long time now I’d like to think that when I was young I was fairly intelligent but I never really understood the concept of death I mean I did but not to sense where I’d never see them again I always regretted not saying goodbye to both of them and not even an I love you to one of them I’ve felt guilty all these years
@bravePrune2962 I hear you, prune. I understand this sense of regret and guilt over goodbyes left unsaid can weigh heavily on the heart. You're not alone in grappling with loss and the questions it brings. Maybe you like sharing more about your loved ones, and the bond you had, helps you feel closer to them still in spirit.
I feel guilt about many things, more about those I did NOT do but should have, rather than the opposite.
I made a lot of mistakes, but those are in the PAST and I believe that all I can do in the PRESENT is to learn from those mistakes and keep working on myself, being better person, man and friend to make my FUTURE the best it can be both for me and the people around me.
That is somewhat what I am trying to stick to. 🤗
@Votre Thank you for sharing and opening up, Votre. It sounds like you're experiencing feelings of guilt about past mistakes and things left undone. Focusing on growth and learning from the past in a way that helps you be your best self moving forward is a very positive approach. You clearly want to build the best future possible, and it seems you're taking constructive steps in that direction.
@ASilentObserver Thank you for your kind words, means a lot ! 🥰 However, could you maybe rephrase or describe differently the last question for me please? I would like to be sure I understood the meaning correctly 😊
@Votre What actions or steps are you currently taking to improve yourself and ensure that you feel understood and supported as you continue on this journey? Let me know if it helps.
I am glad you sharing. It is courageous step.
