I had a few conversations over the last week that came to the topic of guilt.
People are feeling guilty because they might be putting their kids in front of the iPad or TV much more often than they ever used to do.
Or they feel they are not doing enough to balance work, family and mental wellbeing — there is just not enough time in each day.
Many already felt that way, but this pandemic is making things feel extreme.
I’ve heard others feel guilty about taking time away from work because the stakes are too high.
What is interesting is that Covid-19 or not, many felt the same way before this pandemic, but we are alone much more now or sitting on Zoom calls all day long and may not have the commute or time between meetings — which gives us some time for mindfulness or even just short moments to reflect on ourselves.
I have a secret for you.
No matter what is happening in the world, or whether you feel guilty or have shame about all that is happening in your life, you actually have choices.
You get to choose how you want to think — every damn moment.
If you are feeling guilty, look at the thoughts you are choosing to think. Is your thought: “I’m not spending enough time with my kids.” What if you adjusted the thought to: “I’m doing the best that I can given my circumstances.”
Would that make you feel less guilty?
And when you feel guilty you probably binge on chips or chocolate — but when you think you are doing the best you can, do you feel freer and maybe binge a bit less?
It is a daily adjustment for me. I’m not perfect. None of us are — but when we pause to look at how our thoughts are making us feel, we get to choose if we want to keep thinking them.
How do you want to feel?
