Guilty
Also known as blameworthy, culpable
An uneasy, nagging sense of having gone against your own values or caused harm, with a pull to own it and make amends.
In the body
- A knot in the stomach
- Difficulty meeting someone’s eyes
- A restless, unsettled body
- A tight throat
Needs behind it
When these needs aren’t met
Softer and stronger
- Sorry
- Guilty
- Regretful
- Remorseful
Often confused with
Guilty is about something you did and want to set right; ashamed reaches further, into a sense that something is wrong with who you are.
Regretful is wishing you had chosen differently, whether or not anyone was hurt; guilty comes when you sense you crossed your own values or caused harm.
Guilty is knowing you did wrong and feeling the pull to fix it; remorseful is a deeper sorrow for the harm itself, which can stay even after amends.
Sorry is a light pang with an easy wish to put things right; guilty carries a heavier, nagging sense of having gone against your own values.