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Research in human emotions shows us that the difference between shame and guilt is not just a minor linguistic one: the difference between “I did something bad” and “I am bad” is a huge one.

So what is it?

“I did something bad” describes a behavior. That’s guilt.

“I am bad” focuses on the self. That’s shame.

Studies show that the price of not realising the difference between these two concepts can be a life of misery. So, we have to ask:

What does shame correlate with? What’s the danger here?
What are major shame triggers?
And how we can work on our shame resilience?

I talk about all this in this episode!

Listen to it now and share it with the ones who need it.

As promised, references and recommendations!

4 responses to “The Potentially Life-Saving Difference Between Guilt and Shame”

  1. What Does Science Say About Empathy? – investigativeselfism Avatar

    […] not a mysterious concept no-one ever dared to research.And that research is pretty fascinating!I’ve already talked about the role empathy plays on shame (spoiler alert: shame can’t live where empathy is), […]

  2. Don’t Go Down The Spiral of Shame – investigativeselfism Avatar

    […] sounds great…” you might think, but hear me out! No, literally, hear me out: I have a whole episode on the difference between guilt and shame and how guilt is a much healthier feeling to process. […]

  3. Don’t Base Your Growth on Shame – Investigative Selfism Avatar

    […] explain the difference between shame and guilt, […]

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My name is Justina

As an antiwar and anticolonial political commentator, I’m also interested in my own personal transformation.

Because how can living in such turbulent times not transform you?

On this platform, I share with you tools, frameworks, authors, and anything of value I have found to lead a life of authenticity and — an aspiration — courage.

More about me here.