While active in my eating disorder I did a lot of things I am not proud of. I lied, snuck around, and did things that I never imagined I would do. All of this left me with immense weight of guilt. I’ve learned through the recovery process that this burden is something I need to let go of.
The shadow and weight of guilt
Guilt has a tendency to follow us around like a shadow. It can be all consuming and keep us from being fully present in each moment. Guilt is a heavy emotion which can weigh us down making us feel as though we have packed our pockets full of rocks. This weight of guilt pulls us down as we pass through each day consumed by thoughts of the past.
Reality check: in order to be free, it is essential to let go of the past and the regret we feel towards the choices we have made.
We shouldn’t forget the wrongs of our past however. As with any experience, we should learn and grow from its outcome.
What needs to be let go of is how awful the remnants of our past choices are making us feel. Come back to the present. Remember that today we can make the choice to be the best version of ourselves.
We can chose this each and every moment of the day.
Overcoming the past weight of guilt
No, we can never change the past but we can overcome it. We can forgive ourselves for the things we aren’t proud of. We can do all we can to clean up the “messes” we may have made in our lives.
Once we take responsibility for our actions/choices, seeing the reality of our decisions, we can work through them and begin to let go of guilt.
As previously mentioned,
Letting go of the weight of guilt allows us all to live in the present moment and be our best self.
Living in the past will not change anything.
Freedom is within reach
Living in the now, keeping a clear sense of reality, and accepting our past are all choices that will lead to freedom. Imagine the release you will feel when this burden is lifted.
I’m still working on full release but I know one day it will come. Each day I get closer.
Start with baby steps. The past is the past, let’s not live there. Let us live in the now and live to be the best person we can.
Stay strong warriors, keep fighting for who you want to be.
Image: @will_randles
