Guilt is a useless emotion

For whatever reason, I find myself very prone to guilt. In college, I stayed two-and-a-half years in a housing situation that ruined my social life out of a sense of guilt; I've lost sleep afraid that I've said the wrong thing to someone, only to find they didn't think twice about it; I've worked longer hours than I really should because I can't seem to allow myself the time off. A few years ago, a pretty classmate from New York advised me, "Guilt is a useless emotion." No matter how much I want to accept this, I can't let it go. I'm a magnet for guilt.

For example, the nature of my job allows me fairly flexible hours. This is understood by my superiors and my peers. It isn't unusual for me to work steadily from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m., but if I decide to go in late the next day or come home early, I end up docking myself. This morning, I went to exchange some running shoes at the local department store and found myself constantly looking over my shoulder, fearful that someone would think ill of me for not having my nose to the grindstone at 10 a.m., even though I worked past 10 p.m. last night and will work until after 8 p.m. tonight.

I have to wonder if there's a proverbial switch in me -- something that I can flip to cut loose all the guilt and the apprehension, instantly and without looking back.