By Guilt is a normal, human emotion. It’s not even a bad emotion – it means you are moral, ethical and that you understand that your actions can have consequences. However a lot of the times, we feel guilty about things that we should never feel guilty about. This means we apologise for things that don’t need an apology. As valid as an emotion guilt is, so are your other emotions; such as your need for space or boundaries. If you’re an introvert and need some time for yourself, do not feel guilty. We all need different things and we shouldn’t be giving ourselves a hard time for asking for them. Keep reading to see the 13 things you should never be feeling guilty for:
1. Setting Boundaries And Sticking To Them
This isn’t always easy, but it’s important to know how much of yourself you are willing to give to a certain person or situation. Giving too much of yourself will overtime impact your mental and physical health. It can also lead to unhealthy and toxic relationships which isn’t good for either parties involved. Creating boundaries and then following through with them is essential for your peace of mind.
2. Saying ‘No’ When You Need To
. We all have some things that either we can’t do, or we would rather not do. Feeling guilty about these things is telling yourself that your needs are not a priority. If someone is asking you to do something that you are uncomfortable with, it’s important to push back for your own sake. If you are someone that doesn’t like making other people unhappy, this will be especially hard. But we all need to draw a line somewhere, and you should not feel guilty about doing so.
3. Needing Time For Yourself
Sometimes we all need some time to ourselves. But we somehow still guilt ourselves into attending events on days we would have much rather spent in bed. Not only do you deserve me-time, you need me-time. Instead of being concerned about what your friends will think if you skip a plan, do what will make you happy. The friends that truly care will understand and respect your decision.
4. Reaching Out For Help And Support
Everyone needs advice or help at some point or another. It doesn’t mean you aren’t self reliant and it definitely doesn’t mean you are a burden on someone. Don’t be afraid to reach out to the people in your life. Trust us, they care for you and want to be there for you. Let them.
5. Asking For Your Needs To Be Met
It’s okay to be selfless and giving, but at some point you need to ask yourself: what am I getting from this? Are my needs being met? If the answer to that is no, then maybe it’s time to have an honest and open conversation with the person involved. There is no reason to feel bad about this. Communicating your needs is the only way to ensure that this relationship remains healthy. Your needs are just as important as someone else’s.
6. Declining A Call From A Friend When You Need Quiet Time
Sometimes me-time doesn’t just mean physical distance from everyone, it means social distancing in the literal sense. If you need some time in the day to just bury yourself in a book or enjoy a nice warm bath, give yourself that. Declining a friend’s call will not end the friendship and your friend will not hold it against you. Having time for just yourself is so important to live a healthy lifestyle!
7. Making Choices That Protect You And Keep You Safe
If something is making you uncomfortable, it’s your right to protect yourself from it. No one knows your boundaries as well as you and trying to keep yourself safe from something is never a thing to feel guilty about. Even if it’s something such as keeping yourself financially or emotionally secure – don’t feel bad about taking care of yourself.
8. Feeling Your Emotions
In case you need to hear this: your feelings are valid. Let yourself sit in them without guilt. Maybe even take a day to feel them in their extremity. And remember, you can feel multiple emotions at a time. Don’t let someone make you feel bad because they think you need to be only feeling empathy for the world and not sadness about your own problems; the two things aren’t mutually exclusive.
9. Standing Up For Yourself
No one can stand up for you like you can. Never feel bad about pushing back if you think you are being wronged, whether that’s at work or with your friends. If someone is taking advantage of you or belittling you, call them out on it. And don’t regret doing it – people need to learn when they are crossing a line.
10. Not Being Productive
Not everyone can be at their best all the time. Social media makes us feel like we need to be doing something productive every second of the day, but remember that social media is just a snapshot of someone’s life. We all work differently and are productive at different times and in different ways. Don’t put pressure on yourself just because you feel you aren’t giving life your 100% – we all deserve a break to recharge.
11. Removing Someone From Your Life
If there is someone in your life who spreads more negativity than positivity, do not feel bad about cutting yourself off from them. Surrounding yourself with people who make you feel bad can severely impact your mental health. Your circle matters. Choose to surround yourself with people who you appreciate and who appreciate you in return. Some relationships are extremely toxic and holding on to them is only going to hurt you in the long term!
12. Not Accepting A Friend Request
You get to do this! Your insta or facebook profile is private for a reason and you get to choose who has access to it. Don’t feel guilty just because you kind of know the person. It’s better to decline their request than to accept it and constantly regret it.
13. Not Being Perfect
We all have heard multiple times that no one is perfect. We even know that nobody can be perfect. Yet, we hold ourselves to certain expectations and feel disappointed when we don’t meet them. Remember: you are doing the best you can, but we all have days that aren’t as good as others. And that’s okay.
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