259: Free Yourself From Unnecessary Guilt

Guilt is a normal human emotion that everyone deals with at times, and it’s not a problem by itself—it can actually be quite helpful. But excessive guilt can take on an oversized role in your life. Maybe you feel guilty even when you did nothing wrong, or you can’t forgive yourself for an honest mistake, or for something that happened a long time ago. In this episode Joel and I explore where guilt comes from, when it’s useful, how to question it, and the best, most powerful ways to respond. Get full access to Think Act Be with Seth Gillihan at thinkactbe.substack.com/subscribe

Anxiety can be hard to manage, and many of our best attempts to reduce anxiety end up having the opposite effect. In this episode Joel and I explore surprisingly effective ways to deal with anxiety, from agreeing with your worries to stopping the things that seem like they're keeping you safe. With consistent practice, these techniques can make anxiety much more manageable. Get full access to Think Act Be with Seth Gillihan at thinkactbe.substack.com/subscribe

Disturbing recent events have left many of us reeling, especially the violence and killings in Minneapolis. In this episode Joel and I explore the coarsening of our public discourse, the distorting effects of elevating political allegiance above all else, and how to find solace in these troubling times. Get full access to Think Act Be with Seth Gillihan at thinkactbe.substack.com/subscribe

New Year's resolutions are famously hard to keep. In this episode Joel and I explore why our resolutions don't tend to stick and what they might leave out for effective behavior change. Find out how you can set more useful resolutions that you're more likely to follow through on. Get full access to Think Act Be with Seth Gillihan at thinkactbe.substack.com/subscribe

Worry is an understandable response when you’re not sure how something you care about is going to turn out. But worry can become self-perpetuating, eating up your mental bandwidth and creating unnecessary tension over things you can’t control. In this episode Joel and I share some of the best-tested approaches for freeing your mind from the trap of worry.For more daily practices to manage stress and worry all year, here’s the link to my latest book that Joel and I discussed: Your Daily Reset. Get full access to Think Act Be with Seth Gillihan at thinkactbe.substack.com/subscribe

Many people are turning to AI for support, and even for therapy. These technologies are low-cost, seemingly empathic, always available, and draw on a vast store of knowledge. In this episode Joel and I explore the safety and effectiveness of AI as a therapist. Get full access to Think Act Be with Seth Gillihan at thinkactbe.substack.com/subscribe

Changing your thoughts can be a powerful way to greater well-being. But too much of a focus on thinking can keep you stuck in your head and get in the way of meaningful action. In this episode Joel and I explore how to find the balance between the cognitive and the behavioral elements of CBT. Get full access to Think Act Be with Seth Gillihan at thinkactbe.substack.com/subscribe

How can you find more peace in each day, even when things aren't going exactly the way you want them to? Joel and I discuss many ways to cope with life's daily struggles, from changing our perspective to removing the source of predictable problems. You can't eliminate daily hassles, but you can experience a lot less stress and strain. Get full access to Think Act Be with Seth Gillihan at thinkactbe.substack.com/subscribe

Therapy is a big investment of time, finances, and energy. How can you make your time in therapy as productive as possible? How can you prepare for your sessions, and apply what you’ve learned to the rest of your life? And how do you choose a therapist in the first place? Joel and I explore these questions and more as we consider how you can get more out of every therapy session. Get full access to Think Act Be with Seth Gillihan at thinkactbe.substack.com/subscribe

Therapy is a place where you can say things you wouldn't share anywhere else. But what if you're afraid of what your therapist is going to think of you? Joel and I explore common fears that come up in psychotherapy, what's behind them, and how to address them so they don't get in the way. Get full access to Think Act Be with Seth Gillihan at thinkactbe.substack.com/subscribe