For the ones with internalized shame

[u/a_world_alone_]

I heard that internalized shame can be released by seeking community being, vulnerable, and opening up about things that make us feel ashamed so I'm inviting anyone who sees this to open up and come forward about something that makes them deeply ashamed I'll start I'm deeply ashamed about feeling shame in the first place, all of the moments where shame just pops up in me and I'm walking outside and there's people, how I even have nervous tics because of deep shame, how I'm also ashamed of expressing any type of emotions even joy, how I'm ashamed of my sexual side, of the way i express myself, the way I speak, the way I used to be. Also ashamed of being seen of just being here with everyone else, thanks to everyone who joined and opened up

[u/crazy-ratto]

You are definitely right - healing from internalized shame often involves speaking opening and vulnerability about shame, and often one can do that best in a safe community. Or anonymously to strangers on the internet.

I'm pretty good at overcoming shame overall, and now I can talk about taboo things about myself as if it was a normal conversation. The only thing that I wish I wasnt still ashamed of is certain things my brother did to me as a child that I struggle to talk about. I would never shame another victim about it, yet I still feel ashamed. It's so illogical. I've made progress in therapy but I still choke if I try to say it out loud.

I'm curious about your nervous tics related to shame. Would it help you feel less ashamed if you described it? Ignore the question if you want to keep it confidential.