Mental Health Notes

2007 Reasons To Unload Your Guilt

by Alicia Sparks, Mental Health Notes on December 31st, 2007

This would be a nice shout out during an upcoming Saturday Sanity, but I think it deserves its own post.

And no, it’s not really 2007 reasons to unload your guilt - that’s just a nice little play on words.

Scott over at Health and Men recently talked about holiday guilt. Because today is December 31 - you know, the last day of 2007 - I think it’d be a good day for all of us to take a good look at not just our own holiday guilt, but also all the guilt we’ve been carrying around all year - or longer - before charging into 2008.

Feeling somewhat guilty every now and then is natural. You forget your dad’s birthday, or have to add your name to your grandmother’s Christmas present from your sister. It’s normal.

However, feelings of guilt can have huge impacts on your mental health. When you allow guilt to linger and take hold of your mind and emotions, you’re putting your mental health at risk.

When guilt starts making you feel depressed, anxious, ashamed, unworthy, worthless, and inferior for long periods of time, it’s time to unload it.

How?

Well, we’ll talk about that Wednesday (tomorrow is New Year’s!). For now, just start taking a look at the guilt you’re carrying around and preparing yourself for how good it will feel to get rid of it!

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POSTED IN: Anxiety Disorders, Everyday Stress, Holiday Stress, Self-help, Side Effects, Sites of Interest, Tips