Managing Guilt

In the wake of the immense destruction and devastation brought about by Hurricane Helene, a client asked me how can she hold space for the suffering others are enduring while also wanting to enjoy her life.

Guilt is an emotion that is no stranger to animal workers. Those that work to improve the lives of animals can be exceptionally hard on themselves and often find themselves wrestling with feelings of guilt. And guilt can be one of those emotions that we need some strategies to help loosen it's grip on our psyche.

Guilt is like a heavy backpack strapped to your shoulders, filled with stones of past actions and regrets. Carrying it around weighs you down, making each step feel burdensome. It tugs at your every movement, preventing you from moving forward freely. Only by acknowledging and unloading the stones of guilt can you lighten your load and walk with a renewed sense of freedom and self-compassion.