“Fear is the tax that conscience pays to guilt .” - George Sewell

How to unshackle yourself from the chains of guilt and live in your power again:

Guilt, oh the guilt! It is the mother of all emotions (ironically!) and it robs us of our peace, drains our energy and shrouds our ambition in shadow. As we are all about ambition, empowerment and balance at Wuum® it seems like it's a topic that needs to be explored in depth.

As women, and more specifically, as mothers, we've been conditioned to bear the burden of guilt for decisions we make, often the decisions we struggle with involve our own wellbeing needs. Here at Wuum® we believe in a different narrative, one where you don't need to live within the confines of guilt. Let's dive in...

Understanding Guilt

Guilt is a pervasive emotion that often seeps into various aspects of our lives, more so when we step into the daunting (somewhat judgemental), and yet beautiful world of motherhood. A missed school event because of a deadline, choosing self-care over an extra hour with the children, or even the act of harbouring ambitions beyond the home can ignite this profound sense of guilt. It's time to remember that guilt is an emotion, just like any other - we don't need to treat it like a life sentence.

The Impact of Guilt

Living with constant guilt can be detrimental, not just to our mental health (because who wants to live feeling like you are always failing somewhere) but also to our physical well-being. Guilt is a really heavy emotion to be carrying. In fact, on the scale of emotions (see the Hawkins Scale), guilt is actually lower down than grief, the only thing that's 'heavier' to bear, is shame. Guilt not only keeps us from our potential but also gives rise to stress, anxiety and even depression. So, how do we navigate through the guilt and come out the other side?

Banishing Guilt

• Acceptance: Recognise that guilt is a normal feeling, it's designed to show us where our actions are out of alignment with our values. The problem comes when we try to value everything and give it all the same level of importance. The email reply to a colleague feels just as important as buying a birthday present for your daughter to take to her friends party tomorrow, making your family a healthy dinner feels just as important as phoning your mum back. It's an endless series of small tugs on your time and energy, all being given more and confusing levels of importance. When you are continuously juggling various roles and tasks it's easy to let it consume you. The key is to be conscious about what is REALLY important and aligned with what you care about and pay more attention to the tasks that allow you to express and experience your values. Understand that being an ambitious woman does not make you any less of a caring and loving mother.

• Reframe your thoughts: Instead of viewing your decisions as a source of guilt, see them as steps towards creating a more balanced, fulfilled life for you and your loved ones. You are not choosing one over the other; you are maintaining a healthy equilibrium.

• Self care is not selfish: You've heard that before right?! This needs to be your mantra and your non-negotiable though, take it seriously, because if you don't then your mind or your body will make sure you heed it by taking the rest it needs by other means! Cue getting a cold, a flu that lands you in bed for a week, brain fog that stops you doing your best work, important things that get forgotten...self care is self sustaining, it's the fuel that keeps your inner flame alive, the nourishment that allows your spirit to bloom and the foundation from which your strength and resilience grow.

• Seek support: Lean on your community. Remember Wuum® signifies the power of connection and community, and this journey of banishing the guilt becomes lighter with shared experiences and mutual support.

• Empower through example: Realise that through pursuing your own ambitions, you're not only creating a satisfying life for yourself but also setting a powerful example for your children.

The Journey is personal

Banishing guilt is NOT easy, we know that...but it is a profound and personal journey that can be transformative. Remember you are not alone with this, here at Wuum® we believe in sharing experiences within our confidential and safe coaching circles so that you can free yourself from all the things that hold you back from your ambitions. It's time to release the guilt, embrace the journey and feel powerful again.

Women, unapologetic, unstoppable, monumental - WUUM.