Let’s be honest—guilt is sneaky as hell.

It makes you believe that taking a nap or setting a boundary means you’re lazy or selfish. That not being constantly available makes you a bad parent, partner, or friend. But that’s not truth—that’s just programming.

In this week’s video, I’m breaking down:

⚡ Why guilt is actually a trauma response, not a moral compass⚡ The biggest myth about self-sacrifice that keeps you stuck⚡ How to reclaim peace without apologizing for it

If you’ve ever felt like you had to earn your joy, you need to hear this.

I can hear you now (because I used to say the same things to myself) … 

“But Melanie, people rely on me—I can’t just say no.”I hear you. But if your needs are always last, your resentment will eventually show up louder than your kindness.

“I don’t even know what I want anymore.” Exactly. That’s what guilt does. It buries your desires under everyone else’s expectations. The first step is giving yourself permission to start asking again.

👇 Check out Thursday’s deep dive on The Rebel Wayshower if you’re ready to shift from guilt-driven survival mode into something that actually feels true. https://open.substack.com/pub/therebelwayshower/p/stop-feeling-guilty-for-wanting-more?r=265jkm&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

Or grab my free Sacred Self-Care Rituals Guide to reset your nervous system and remember what it’s like to feel good without apology: https://www.melanieraphael.com/sacredrituals

To hear more, visit yourwitchymother.substack.com