
01/09/2025
When we start making changes that protect our energy — setting boundaries, saying no, speaking up — guilt often appears before relief does.
It’s not always because we’ve done something wrong. Many of us were taught that keeping the peace, over-giving, or saying “yes” was the way to be good, kind, or lovable. So when we choose differently, our nervous system treats it as unfamiliar, even unsafe.
Guilt can be heavy. It can make us second-guess ourselves or even go back to old patterns just to feel comfortable again. But guilt is often part of the process of change. It’s the companion that walks beside growth, not the proof that you’ve made the wrong choice.
In Part 2, we’ll explore how to be with guilt without abandoning yourself — so you can honour your needs and your relationships at the same time.