I spoke to someone today who said she felt guilt when she did something for herself and she felt guilt when she didn’t do something for someone else. She was taught that. So was I.

I’ve been working very hard, since forever. I feel guilty when I’m not doing something useful – in plans, in conversations, in actions. It’s served me well in the system – I’ve been “good”, I’ve built a home, got an education, a family, a career. But at least in part, I’ve built it on guilt and I’m tired now. So here’s my plan. Oh, the sweet irony of a plan to be less planful! Let’s call it a practice:

1. Identify what I want to do
2. Do that thing
3. Notice the guilt
4. Gently ask the guilt to take a seat
5. Focus on the joy of doing the thing

Let’s see how it goes.

PS Insights welcome from wise readers.