React Calmly to a Guilt Trip

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

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.

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