ENERGY LEVEL 36-40: CONTRITION

Contrition is the deep feeling of regret when we know we’ve done something wrong. Unlike shame, which says “I am bad,” contrition says “I did something wrong, and I want to make it right.”It comes with honesty and humility. We stop making excuses or blaming others. We face the impact of our actions and feel genuine sorrow for the hurt we’ve caused. Contrition can be uncomfortable, but it’s a healthy emotion. It opens the door to forgiveness, growth, and repair. It allows us to reconnect—with ourselves, with others, and with our values. People feeling contrition often seek to apologize or make amends. They don’t just feel sorry—they want to change. That desire to take responsibility is what makes contrition powerful. It’s not weakness. It’s courage—the courage to own our actions and begin again with more awareness and care.