Understanding Guilt and Shame: A Path to Healing with Robert Cox
Shame is deeper than guilt. Many people I deal with in my office are carrying around toxic shame that they were forced to carry by parents or abusers who didn't have the strength, emotionally, to carry their own sense of shame or guilt or deal with it, and so they dumped that on the child.
Have you ever felt weighed down by guilt or shame, not quite sure how to tell the difference between the two? In this episode of 'Mindful Recovery', Robert Cox dives deep into these powerful emotions. He starts by breaking down the distinction: guilt is feeling bad about what you've done, while shame is feeling bad about who you are. This seemingly subtle difference can have a huge impact on your mental health.
Cox explains how toxic shame can stem from the actions of others, like parents or abusers, who projected their own unresolved issues onto you. But don’t worry, it’s not all doom and gloom. Robert introduces practical ways to tackle these feelings, including the use of the 12 steps and mindfulness techniques. He emphasizes the importance of separating yourself from the negative messages that shame brings and fostering self-compassion and forgiveness.
One of the standout points is the value of seeking therapy to work through these complex emotions with professional support. If you're looking for actionable strategies to shed toxic shame and embrace a healthier self-image, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in to start your journey toward self-acceptance and emotional freedom.