I have the worst Catholic guilt in the entire world. And I'm not Catholic. But the level of guilt I feel for well - anything in life is so real you would think I invented the feeling.
I have guilt when I cancel on someone - even if I don't want to go to the activity. If I skip a workout, I feel guilty - even if I'm exhausted. I'll find a way to feel guilty for any reason. And if there isn't a reason - I'll make one up.
The thing is - this guilt is just that - made up. Feeling guilty is often an emotion we assign ourselves when we are trying to be everything to everyone and forget to put ourselves first. Feeling guilty is also often a sign of being self conscious about our triggers.
How many times do you have guilt about something that is completely unfounded? How many times do you convince yourself that you should feel badly about something you've said or done when the only person it's really bothering is you?
Guilt is incredibly powerful and it has everything to do with your internal equilibrium. When you're in a good place with who you are and how you're feeling about you, that guilt tends to slide away.
So how do you combat your inner Catholic guilt and find a little extra peace in the universe?
It goes back to understanding what is within your control and what is not. And it's prioritizing yourself, your health and happiness - above others.
For example - stop agreeing to do things you don't want to do. Stop making plans with people you don't want to spend time with in the first place. Stop over committing yourself at work and burning yourself out. Stop working out 7 days a week if it doesn't make you happy. And stop guilting yourself into thinking you should do any of these things for any reason.
The only thing you should be doing is living your happiest, healthiest, best life for YOU. Right, I get it, be a good person too - but at the end of the day if you're not living your best life, you're not able to be your best for anyone else either.
Ditch the guilt and focus on spending your limited time on things that truly enrich your life