Constant guilt: why you so often feel guilty

Feeling guilty even about things outside your control? How it shows up, questions to reflect on and where coaching can help.

What goes on inside

You often feel guilty, even about things that are out of your hands. When you think of yourself, you quickly feel selfish.

How it can show up

You apologise often, even for things that are not your fault.
When you treat yourself to something, you feel selfish.
Old mistakes keep going through your mind.
You take responsibility for other people's moods.

Questions for you

There are no right answers. Take the question that stays with you.

What are you really responsible for, and what not?
Would you blame a friend the way you blame yourself?
What would need to happen for you to forgive yourself an old mistake?
Which of your needs is getting too little attention at the moment?

Where coaching can help

Coaching can help you tell apart what you are actually responsible for and what you are not, and make decisions that take your own needs into account too.

When other help fits better

If the guilt is with you almost all the time or comes with low mood, talk to a licensed psychotherapist. For questions of faith, talking to a religious person you trust can also bring relief.

If it is too much right now

Coaching is not psychotherapy and not a crisis service. If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, contact the emergency services where you are right away, or a crisis service near you.

Want to talk it through?

In a free 20-minute intro call we look at whether coaching is the right way to work on this for you. If it is not, I will tell you so.

Book an intro call