guilt Archives ⋆ The Teenager Today

Guilt

Janis Mihirayan — Tue, 16 Jul 2024 10:33:02 +0000

Guilt,
A very strong emotion,
A very dangerous virus.
It plagues the human mind
And it never leaves you.
Everyone feels it
But very few acknowledge it.
You know when you’re wrong
But you never admit it.
You take this your deepest darkest secret to your grave
And even when you’re dead,
It stings its poison deep inside you
And chases you to your afterlife.

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I have turned into a compulsive liar

Nasreen Hashambhoy — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 10:36:08 +0000

Ever since I have grown into an adolescent, I have always had this sheer desire towards perfection. I have always tried hard to be perfect in everything I do including studies, domestic responsibilities and all other activities. But the more I want to build myself into a perfect and idealistic person, the messier I become. I just want to stand out in the crowd as an extraordinary and spotless character. But in this process I have turned into a person with huge insecurities hidden beneath my shell of confidence. I have turned into a toxic, narcissistic, clingy, impulsive and most unfortunately, a compulsive liar. I feel disgusted and guilty. But please help me come out of this phase and be what I am supposed to be. Help me to get rid of compulsive lying and be myself happily.
Namrata (16)

Dear Namrata,

I appreciate you for your self-awareness — it is a superb quality and a great starting point for change!

Here’s the ‘mental’ math that you are doing: Ideal me in future – Ideal me now = I have to be perfect forever = Shortfall + I don’t love myself + Negative self-image and Cover-ups (Closed mindset). You can see how it puts you in an imaginary prison of your own making.

So, how about a new equation: Realistic yet Ideal me in future – Real me now = Areas I can work on + I love myself and don’t have to be perfect + Positive self-image (Open mindset).

Over the next few weeks, keep a journal of your strengths and weaknesses, positives and negatives, likes and dislikes. Each day, take one of the positives and write out why you are grateful they are there. When you’re ready, take a few not-so-positive things and write why you are grateful that these too are there in your life. Pick the ones you want to change and be patient with yourself while doing so.

No one is perfect. You could compare it to the sun — it is not perfect, it has spots, yet it radiates its light. Similarly, if you love yourself for who you are, you will automatically start radiating the joy and happiness you feel within.

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Collateral damage

Editorial Team — Fri, 15 Apr 2016 09:04:23 +0000

by Oindrila Sil (15)
Loreto Convent, Asansol

Their cries rang in my ears every day.
Their faces haunted me every night.
My guilt consuming
The feigned peace in my heart.
I looked at them. Into their eyes.
There was helplessness in them.
They knew that I could help them,
And so did I.
Maybe I was too busy sheltering myself
Or maybe I couldn’t care less
At that moment.
And just when I got myself to safety
And let out a sigh of relief,
Destiny decided to put an end to their pain
And set them free forever…
Now when I walk down those streets,
The scars of my heart burn again
With the pain I’d left those folks to suffer
And I realise the collateral damage I’ve done
To myself…
To my soul…

This poem has been published in the April 2016 issue of The Teenager Today.

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