What does guilt feel like in the body? Guilt is a reaction to something we have done, an action we have taken. We did something harmful or bad. So we pull back as if we just touched a hot stove, or run away from situations and relationships so we don’t have to face the harm we think we caused.
When guilt gets stuck in the body, we close down and become claustrophobic in our own skin. We try not to breathe and slowly suffocate. We shrink, stoop over, keep our eyes down, get out of the way. If only we could make ourselves smaller, we could stop doing bad things.
Because we have been harmed, we know what harm feels like and carry guilt for even the smallest imagined infraction. We say “I’m sorry” all the time, hoping that one day we will be forgiven. Guilt fills our bodies and leaves no room for breath and bones and muscles.
Releasing stuck guilt starts with recognizing that not everything we do causes other people harm, even if they blame us. Then, we can let go of responsibility that doesn’t belong to us. In time, we can straighten our backs, take a deep breath, and reclaim our space in the world.
Question for the day: How many times a day do you apologize for small things?
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