React Calmly to a Guilt Trip

Seven easy steps to stay cool when people try to make you feel guilty

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Stop those around you from laying an undeserved guilt trip on you.
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Stop those around you from laying an undeserved guilt trip on you.
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Has your mother, spouse, or priest given you one too many guilt trips lately? Desensitize yourself to guilt with the following exercise, courtesy of Dale V. Atkins, Ph.D., a psychologist and author of I'm OK, You're My Parents: How to Overcome Guilt, Let Go of Anger, and Create a Relationship That Works. The idea is to train yourself to react calmly when people try to make you feel guilty.
  • Make a list of at least five typical guilt-inducing statements that people in your life use.


  • Record each line into a tape recorder, using the exact inflection the person uses.


  • Sit in the place and position you are usually in when you deal with this person's guilt offensives.


  • Play back the tape.


  • If possible, stay in the same room, but change your position to a restful one.


  • Listen to the tape several times.


  • Repeat the exercise whenever you anticipate conflict.




From Stealth Health
 
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