Guilt
Family: Threat and vulnerability
How it differs from similar states
I acted against my values; I want to make it right.
How this can feel in the body
A lowered gaze, stiff movements—your body carries the weight of what happened.
It usually comes up when
Violating your own moral standards or causing harm.
What this might be pointing to
Motivates repair and relationship preservation; arises from self-evaluation.
What you can do with this
Guilt is healthy when it leads to action: apologising, making amends, changing your behaviour. It becomes unhealthy when it turns into chronic self-punishment without action. What can I do right now?
Where the name comes from
Guilt is your inner compass—it arises when you feel you've violated your own values.
Not quite it?
Closest by feel — the same ones the compass would show.
Two minutes, and you will see whether this is really it