shame

Shame is like a powerful drug—addictive, toxic, and deceptively motivating. You know it’s unhealthy, yet you tap into it repeatedly because of its fierce and immediate effects. It courses through your mind like an aggressive drill sergeant, shouting at you to do more, be better, and reminding you that you’re not good enough—you’ll never be good enough…

Is this entirely bad? Shame has driven you forward, pushing you to overcome obstacles and break through limitations. It’s potent, and when wielded just right, it pushes you toward growth and achievement.

Unchecked, it returns your mind to self-inflicted traumas, replaying your past failures and guilt on an unrelenting loop. It feeds negative self-talk and attempts to corrode your self-worth. Over time, this toxic fuel leaves you emotionally burned out and disconnected from your authentic self. The temporary high it provides comes at a cost.

Can you, through strength and maturity, harness shame without letting it destroy you? Perhaps, you cannot let shame be your only fuel. It’s too volatile to rely on entirely. Use it as a spark but shift to more sustainable and healthier sources like purpose, self-compassion, and accountability.