When Guilt Meets Flight in the Workplace
You work hard. You show up, deliver, and often go above and beyond. But if you pause for a moment, do you notice how often guilt sneaks into your workday? Maybe it shows up when you say no to a request, when you take a break, or even when you make a small mistake. That’s the guilt wound at play — a deep, internalized belief that you’re never doing enough, or that you should always be giving more.
Now, pair that with a flight trauma response, and the workplace can quickly feel like a minefield. The flight response pushes you into constant motion — answering emails right away, keeping your plate full, avoiding slowing down because stillness feels unsafe. It’s not just about being productive; it’s about outrunning the uncomfortable feelings of guilt, fear of failure, or worry about disappointing others.
How It Shows Up at Work
You struggle to delegate tasks because you feel guilty about “burdening” others.
You say yes when your schedule is already overflowing, because saying no feels selfish.
You work through lunch or stay late, not just to finish the job, but to quiet the voice in your head that whispers, “You haven’t done enough.”
You avoid feedback conversations, not because you don’t care, but because the thought of hearing you’ve fallen short is unbearable.
Over time, this pattern doesn’t just exhaust you — it can chip away at your confidence, your relationships with colleagues, and even your passion for the work you once enjoyed.
Why This Matters
When guilt and flight run the show, your nervous system is in a constant state of urgency. You’re always moving, always “on,” but rarely grounded. The truth is, guilt and flight aren’t evidence that you’re weak — they’re survival strategies you learned long ago. They protected you once, but in the workplace (and in adulthood), they can keep you stuck in cycles of burnout, overwork, and self-doubt.
A New Way Forward
Healing starts with awareness. The moment you notice yourself saying “yes” when you mean “no,” or rushing to complete something just to silence the guilt, you’ve already taken the first step. From there, you can begin learning to slow down, regulate your body, and reframe guilt as a signal — not a command.
If this resonates with you and you’re ready to learn more about yourself — reach out to book your first session.
Sandra Ragheb
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