I Feel Guilty For Existing

Post Reply New Topic

I'm not suicidal, but I always feel guilty for everything no matter how minute it may be. Anytime someone gets annoyed with me, and even when they don't, I feel like I've let people that I care about down in a major way. I get sad very quickly and I get a large amount of intrusive thoughts telling me that I'm a waste of space. I also feel bad for indirectly hurting people through my actions. I own a smartphone and clothes that were made using what's practically slave labor. Every time I ride in a car, I contribute to global warming. Even owning books feels wrong to me because trees had to be cut down for them to exist. Sometimes I even wonder if my dog would be happier in the wild than being what's essentially a slave. How do I stop feeling guilty for existing?

You exist. Make the best of it.

As long as you treat people like you want to be treated, you’re okay in my book.

I used to be extensively guilt-tripped and I internalised it.
Getting rid of it was tricky, I think quite a big part of my therapy was about it, but the relief was enormous.
Also, freeing myself from excessive guilt helped me navigate morals - the actual choices I can make.

Every time you want to say "I'm sorry", try to use "thank you" instead. Instead of "sorry I'm late" - "thank you for waiting". Tricky in the beginning but unexpectedely helpful.

Don't feel guilty unless you break your core values.

I have over a thousand large trees on my property. They grow like weeds. They are a renewable resource.

That is a very good trait. It means that you are not a hypocrite.

Then tell them you are sorry that you let them down.

The rate of currency exchange is very different between many countries. The daily wages in many countries is extremely low by our standards. Sometimes what is referred to as slave labor is actually double the daily wage in those regions.

I would tend to disagree here. Dogs have evolved beginning over 10,000 years ago and have become co-dependent on humans. I have a dog and he is a free range dog. I live in the country and he is free to run as fast as the wind and jump into the creek and roam the neighborhood. And he is very happy but he always comes home. He does this because he knows I will feed him and pet him, especially on the tummy which he like immensely. If I was not here, he would starve, then someone would capture him and turn him in to animal control and he would be killed.


[Disclaimer: Since this was posted under the category "The Haven", my response was not meant as any form of criticism. Rather it was an alternate viewpoint.]

I used to feel like this when I was young. The reasons I got over it are kind of complicated but, since Im poor and have to walk everywhere, I feel like I am using up less resources. I recycle and use recycled paper toilet paper.

Everyone has a carbon footprint

Not everyone feels guilty about existing


Some precious lil "people" act like they are so innocent and have never done anything wrong before in their lives and "the meaning of life is helping people! "


"Are you planning on hurting yourself or anyone else" numerous mandated Reporters had the nerve to ask me





Living things have to "hurt" other living things to remain alive


The impacts of your actions are not always immediately direct or physical

Chaos theory