[header] How to overcome feelings of guilt [title] Understand the purpose of guilt. [step] Most of the time, we feel guilty because we have done or said something that caused harm to someone else. This type of guilt helps you to understand when you may be at fault for something, which is healthy and normal. 
[substeps] For example, if you forget a friend's birthday, you might feel guilty because friends are expected to remember and celebrate their friends' birthdays. This is healthy guilt because it alerts you to something you failed to do that may damage your relationship with this person.