I used to be a guilt junkie

My addiction to carrying around guilt was a real issue for me for a long time.

Guilt has driven me away from a lot of good things in my life.

And I embraced my guilt driven lifestyle even more when I became a mother.

When the feeling comes to nag me, I feel it taking a grip of my body.

It's so tangible, that it used to strongly guide my decisions towards those ones that wouldn't bring me guilt.

How familiar are you with mom guilt?

I was a champion in the world wide mom guilt competition.

I wouldn't do nearly anything for myself if the feeling of guilt came lurking around.

Today, after a lomg journey for healing in this area, I can tell you that the feeling still arrives.

But it doesn't dominate my decisions, thoughts or how I feel.

I choose taking care of me so I could take better care of others.

For example going to do my excercise is one area where this freedom to be good to me is often tested.

I hear these echoes in my head "it's selfish to be away from your family".

And I respond with my own thought "I'm such a better wife and mom when I do this exercise, more patient, loving and present".

And the echo gets quiet.

Here are a few things that have helped me.

Acknowledging that I have a problem called unhealthy guilt. 

>> I've studied this topic and what an actually healthy guilt looks like, for more awareness. <<

Surrounding myself with people who have a healthy habit of loving themselves.

>> One of the best ways for me is to exercise together with my friends. <<

Practising a habit of speaking kindly to myself has made such a difference.

>> Now that the nagging feeling comes, I just start speaking kindly to myself and it gets quiet and calm in my head very fast. <<