#174: Shame vs Guilt (and Why it Even Matters)

If you’ve ever bent a decision around “not wanting to feel guilty,” this one’s for you.

Today we separate guilt (outward, action/outcome-focused: “I did something wrong”) from shame (inward, identity-focused: “I am wrong”).

Which matters because when you can spot authentic emotions that help you repair or realign—you can drop the inauthentic, habitual stuff that only fuels people-pleasing, FOPO, and misaligned decisions.

 Here’s where we go: 

  • The fast distinction: Guilt vs. Shame
  • What’s usually going on when we feel “guilty” for a choice (hint: you’re probably shaming yourself)
  • How authentic emotions guide useful repair vs. how shame paralyzes
  • Questions to sort authentic vs. inauthentic shame/guilt (and act accordingly)
  • A boundary example from real life 

 

👉 Links!