Unraveling Guilt & Shame – A Wisdom Watch Party Exercise

Let’s Learn While Watching a Bit of TV (The Good Kind!)

Welcome to one of my Wisdom Watch Party exercises—where we get to kick back, watch something thought-provoking, and actually learn something that shifts our perspective. It’s my guilty pleasure (though, let’s be honest, a TED Talk is the kind of TV that actually leaves us better than it found us!).

Today, we’re diving into an incredible talk by June Tangney on the differences between guilt and shame—two emotions we all feel, but don’t always know how to handle. One can push us toward positive change, while the other can trap us in a cycle of self-judgment. Understanding the difference is a game-changer for personal growth, relationships, and self-compassion.

So, grab a notebook, settle in, and let’s watch, reflect, and grow together.

Journaling Exercise: Let’s Dig a Little Deeper

Now that we’ve soaked in some wisdom, let’s reflect and apply what we’ve learned. These journaling prompts are here to help you unpack your own experiences and gain clarity on how guilt and shame show up in your life.

1️⃣ In your own words, what’s the difference between guilt and shame?
2️⃣ Think of a recent time you felt guilt. How did it affect your actions or decisions?
3️⃣ Now, recall a moment of shame. How did it feel different from guilt?
4️⃣ What kinds of situations tend to trigger shame for you? How does it affect how you see yourself?
5️⃣ How could recognizing the difference between guilt and shame help improve your relationships?
6️⃣ Have you ever mistaken guilt for shame (or vice versa)? What happened as a result?
7️⃣ June Tangney talks about the positive side of guilt—how could guilt actually help you grow?
8️⃣ What strategies have you used in the past to deal with shame? Have they helped?
9️⃣ Do you think guilt and shame are experienced differently based on gender or societal expectations?
🔟 How will you handle feelings of guilt or shame differently moving forward?

No pressure to answer them all—just see what sparks something in you. Sometimes, just writing it out helps us make sense of emotions we didn’t even realize were shaping our thoughts and behaviors.

Final Thoughts: Walking Away Wiser

The goal here isn’t to get rid of guilt and shame completely—they’re human emotions, and they show up for a reason. But when we understand them, we can respond to them differently. We can use guilt as a tool for growth and learn to release shame instead of letting it define us.

So, next time one of these emotions shows up, take a step back and ask yourself:
👉 Is this guilt or shame?
👉 What is it trying to tell me?
👉 How can I move forward with self-compassion instead of self-judgment?

That’s it for this Wisdom Watch Party exercise! Keep exploring, keep learning, and keep growing. And if something from this session really hit home for you, drop a comment—I’d love to hear your thoughts! 💬✨