Slow Days

Feeling ashamed

Feeling that something about you is wrong or bad, often after a mistake or being judged.

If this feeling is heavy right now, you don’t have to hold it alone. Free support is available.

Watercolor of rain running down a window, seen from a warm room where a lamp glows over a mug and a small plant.

Where it sits on the wheel

Ashamed is in the middle ring, under Sad. Further out: embarrassed, guilty and humiliated.

Open it on the full wheel

A gentle prompt

If a friend told you about this, what would you want them to hear from you? Could you offer yourself one sentence of that?

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Something that might help right now

Rain & Quiet Sounds

Soft rain in the background, for company while you sit with this.

Feelings near ashamed

  • Sad (one ring in)

    Ashamed is feeling that something about you is wrong or bad; sadness doesn’t carry that judgment of yourself.

  • Lonely (also under Sad)

    Lonely wants to be close to other people; ashamed often wants to hide from them.

  • Hurt (also under Sad)

    Hurt is pain from something that happened to you; ashamed is feeling that something about you is wrong.

  • Embarrassed (further out)

    Embarrassed is lighter and usually passes: self-conscious after something awkward. Ashamed feels like something about you is wrong.

  • Guilty (further out)

    Guilty is about something you did; ashamed is about who you feel you are.

  • Humiliated (further out)

    Humiliated is being made to look foolish or small by other people; ashamed can come with no one else there.

About the feelings wheel

Ashamed is one of the 104 words on the Slow Days feelings wheel, and the list of feelings has them all. The wheel isn’t a test or a diagnosis.

If a feeling has been heavy for a while, or you don’t feel safe, please talk to someone you trust or reach out for free support. If you’re in danger, call your local emergency number.