How to relieve feelings of guilt?

How to ease your feelings of guilt?

Guilt is a complex emotion that can deeply affect our psychological and emotional well-being. Felt by many people, this feeling can be rooted in past actions, behaviors or even thoughts. Often, it can become a burden that is difficult to bear. In this article, let's explore together the feeling of guilt, its origins, and how a natural approach can help you better overcome it.

What is the feeling of guilt?

Guilt is an emotion that arises when we believe we have committed a fault or transgressed a moral or ethical code , whether personal, social or cultural. It can arise from a direct action or an omission, and sometimes it results from feelings of responsibility for a situation that we did not necessarily cause.

Freud was one of the first to theorize this feeling in relation to the superego , that part of our psyche that represents inner authority and morality. For Freud, guilt is often linked to conflicts between our unconscious desires and the demands of external reality, particularly social and moral norms.

Feelings of guilt can also be influenced by our upbringing, family relationships, and culture. For example, a strict upbringing or a parental relationship where misconduct is severely punished can intensify this feeling in adulthood.

The consequences of feeling guilty

The feeling of guilt, although it can sometimes push us to correct our mistakes and improve ourselves, can also have negative effects if it becomes chronic or excessive. When guilt sets in persistently, it can:

• Altered self-perception : A person who constantly feels guilty may develop a negative self-image, seeing themselves as a “bad” or “unworthy” person.
• Affect relationships with others : Feeling guilty can influence our behaviors in our relationships, causing us to be overly accommodating, avoid conflict, or isolate ourselves.
• Create a state of constant stress: Living with guilt can cause psychological stress which, in the long term, can manifest itself through physical symptoms such as headaches, sleep disturbances, or digestive problems.
• Generate shame : Guilt is often accompanied by a feeling of shame, an emotion that concerns not only what we have done, but also who we are. This can lead to a vicious cycle where the person feels increasingly devalued.

Bach Flowers for Guilt

Bach Flower Remedies are a widely used natural approach to managing various emotions, including feelings of guilt. These flower essences were developed by Dr. Edward Bach in the 1930s: they are designed to harmonize negative emotional states by harnessing the vibrational energy of flowers. For those who feel overwhelmed by guilt, managing emotions with Bach Flower Remedies is therefore particularly recommended.

But which Bach flowers should you use and why?

• Pine (Pine Scots, Bach Flower No. 24) : Pine is the Bach flower most directly associated with feelings of guilt. It helps you release the burden of unjustified guilt by promoting a sense of self-forgiveness. It allows you to recognize that not everything is your responsibility and helps develop a more caring and balanced attitude. By taking Pine, individuals can gradually stop beating themselves up and learn to accept their imperfections.
• Crab Apple (Wild Apple, Bach Flower No. 10) : Crab Apple is often called the "purification flower." It helps to purify thoughts and free oneself from excessive self-criticism. This flower supports greater self-acceptance by helping to rid oneself of feelings of psychological "defilement" or "dirtiness." It is particularly useful for those who have difficulty accepting their mistakes or imperfections, thus promoting a sense of inner peace.
• Willow (Willow, Bach Flowers No. 38): Willow is recommended for people who, in addition to guilt, feel a form of resentment or bitterness. It supports the process of letting go by helping to free oneself from negative thoughts and resentment. This flower helps to transform bitterness into acceptance, thus facilitating forgiveness towards oneself and others. By releasing these heavy emotions, Willow helps to restore a feeling of serenity and balance.
• White Chestnut (White Chestnut, Bach Flowers No. 35) : White Chestnut is recommended for those whose feelings of guilt are accompanied by obsessive and recurring thoughts. It helps to calm the incessant flow of thoughts and to regain a more peaceful mind. By calming mental ruminations, this flower allows you to detach yourself from guilty thoughts and reduce the associated stress. It thus helps to regain mental clarity, to no longer be overwhelmed by negative emotions and to regain a form of personal motivation .

Our advice for maximizing the effects of Bach Flowers

If you are using Bach Flowers to let go and relieve feelings of guilt, you can combine these natural elixirs with healthy daily habits:

• Meditation and mindfulness : Meditation can help you become aware of your thoughts and distance yourself from negative emotions. By practicing mindfulness regularly, a person can better identify when guilt arises and intervene to avoid becoming overwhelmed. These are highly regarded practices in personal development .
• Self-compassion : Self-compassion is treating yourself with the same kindness you would offer a friend in a similar situation. It can help to soothe feelings of guilt by encouraging an attitude of forgiveness and understanding towards yourself. This form of self-compassion will help you get back to sleep with Bach Flowers .
• Narrative therapy : This approach involves revisiting the events that triggered the guilt and rewriting them from a new perspective. It involves understanding the context in which these events occurred and recognizing that past actions do not define our entire identity.
• Art therapy : Art therapy offers a nonverbal way to express and transform feelings of guilt. Using mediums such as painting, drawing, or sculpture, a person can express emotions that are difficult to put into words and find a way to externalize and soothe them, for example to overcome grief naturally .

When to consult a professional?

Feelings of guilt are complex and often difficult to bear. If they persist and significantly affect daily life, it is crucial to consult a mental health professional . A therapist or psychoanalyst can offer attentive listening and an in-depth analysis of the origin of this feeling. The therapeutic process allows us to understand the psychological mechanisms at play and to work on solutions adapted to each individual.

Working with a professional can also help distinguish justified guilt, related to actions that require repair, from excessive guilt, which often results from misperceptions or unattainable personal standards.