How to Deal With Shame

Shame is one of the hardest emotions to overcome. It can be the result of a person's action towards you, or a wrong choice that was made. When a person experiences shame, they not only have to deal with the internal struggle of dealing with it, but also the difficult task of facing other people again.

Instructions

• 1

  Confront the cause of your shame. Identifying the issue is a necessary activity to complete before beginning the healing process. Sort out all the likely causes or number of reasons behind the shame you are experiencing. Try to break them down into individual issues rather than tackling them all as one complex issue.

• 2

  Locate the person causing you to feel ashamed. Ask if it is an internal struggle or the result of someone else treating you a certain way. Determine the role you play in the shame you're experiencing. Release your guilt and place the blame on the person responsible.

• 3

  Examine the issue without considering your shame. Remove the highly-charged emotion from the equation. Give yourself a clear understanding of the situation. Allow yourself the opportunity to begin formulating a plan for moving forward.

• 4

  Talk to someone you trust. Release some of the burden created by keeping your shame inside. Listen to people when they tell you that the situation is not your fault or that you have made amends for any part you played in creating it.

• 5

  Take small steps to reclaiming your confidence in the area of your life that brought you shame. Try new things that make you feel good about yourself. Once you have forgiven yourself and let the shame go, move forward.