Guilt or Discomfort? How Highly Sensitive People Can Tell the Difference
Have you ever felt overwhelming guilt after saying no — even when you didn’t do anything wrong?
For highly sensitive people and recovering people pleasers, guilt often shows up not because of a moral failure, but because of discomfort. In this episode, MaryAnn Walker breaks down the crucial difference between true guilt and the nervous-system discomfort that comes from disappointing others, setting boundaries, or choosing yourself.
Through a personal holiday story and relatable examples, you’ll learn why your body can react as if you’ve done something “bad” — even when you haven’t — and how to stop letting discomfort dictate your decisions.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
-The key difference between true guilt and emotional discomfort
-Why highly sensitive people often confuse discomfort with wrongdoing
-How people-pleasing patterns train your nervous system to fear disappointment
-Common ways guilt shows up for HSPs and recovering people pleasers
-Why setting boundaries can feel wrong even when it’s healthy
-How nervous system activation can masquerade as guilt or shame
-Questions to ask yourself to determine whether repair is actually needed
-How learning this distinction builds self-trust and emotional resilience
Challenge for the Week
The next time guilt shows up, pause and ask yourself:
Have I actually done something wrong?
Or am I feeling discomfort because I broke an old pattern?
Notice what’s happening in your body — tight chest, racing thoughts, urge to fix — and remind yourself: discomfort is not a moral failure.
Work With Me
If your default setting has become guilt, shame, or over-responsibility for other people’s emotions, you don’t have to navigate this alone.
I offer six and twelve week coaching packages designed to help highly sensitive people:
-Trust themselves again
-Set boundaries without drowning in guilt
-Regulate their nervous systems
-Stop over-owning other people’s emotions
Apply to work with me at www.maryannwalker.life.
Spots are limited — reach out now to get on my calendar.
Don’t Forget to Subscribe
If this episode resonated with you, make sure you’re subscribed to Inner Work with MaryAnn Walker so you never miss an episode on boundaries, guilt, emotional regulation, and self-trust for highly sensitive people.
📩 Join my weekly newsletter: https://maryannwalker-life.kit.com/fbd72512dd
MaryAnn Walker coaching: https:maryannwalker.life
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maryannwalker.life/
Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maryannwalker.life
Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maryannwalker.life
Join my email list and get a FREE GIFT! https://maryannwalker-life.ck.page/3da1fd88a9
