Joy guilt: You're Not the Only One

Feeling guilty for being happy

50 people have shared thoughts about this

I should probably be happy or something, right? …

joy guilt

I hate how I feel right now—like I’m actually a piece of shit for even thinking this.

anger suppression

I am sitting here in this tiny apartment in Milan—well, it’s actually a pretty nice studio that the program paid for—and I just feel like a total fraud. …

imposter syndrome

You know that feeling when you have done every single thing right and it still feels like absolute trash? …

achievement emptiness

It’s like this weird emotional dissonance... …

workplace pretense

I finally got the email and it felt like a heavy wet coat hitting the floor. …

achievement emptiness

i just spent 8k on a seamaster and i feel like im actually gonna throw up. …

financial hiding

Bleach and that fake lemon spray they use to hide the smell of old people I guess. …

relief at loss

And I feel like a total monster even typing that out because my husband literally died two days ago in that quiet hospice place. …

relief at loss

my personal best... …

achievement emptiness

Explore Related Themes

Anger suppressionAnxiety hidingApathy guiltCrying shameEmotional numbnessJealousy hiding

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I the only one who experiences joy guilt?▾
No — 50 people have shared anonymous thoughts about joy guilt on this platform. It's a common human experience that many keep hidden.
Is it normal to have thoughts about joy guilt?▾
These thoughts and feelings are more common than most people realize. By sharing anonymously, people often discover that what felt uniquely shameful is actually a shared human experience.
How can sharing anonymously help?▾
Research shows that expressing hidden thoughts — even anonymously — can reduce shame and help people feel less isolated. Seeing others share similar experiences normalizes what you're going through.

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