Shame

At its core, shame is an intensely painful feeling of being fundamentally flawed, unworthy, or unacceptable. It’s not just about doing something wrong (that’s guilt); it’s about being wrong. Think of guilt as saying, "I made a mistake," while shame whispers, "I am a mistake." This distinction, highlighted in the work of researchers like Brené Brown, is crucial. Shame attacks our very sense of self.

So, how does this potent emotion take root?