How do you break a promise and not feel the burden of guilt?

Answer 1

No matter the relationship of the person you are breaking the promise with, this can be difficult. Promises should be kept, but there are always extenuating circumstances in which they are broken with good reason, and therefore should not feel the burden of guilt.

Here are a few questions you can ask yourself if you are about to break a promise:

• Did you make the promise with good intentions?
• Did you make the promise carefully, thoughtfully, and responsibly?
• Was there a clear understanding between you and the other party when making this promise?
• Did you try to uphold your end of the promise?
• Did circumstances dramatically change, thus preventing you from being able to fulfill the promise?
• Would upholding the promise now put you in harm's way, or put you in a compromising situation?

If you can answer "yes" to these questions, then you can break your promise with a little ease. While breaking promises should always be the exception rather than the rule, circumstances may arise where it's necessary. You may still experience guilt, but that's natural - just keep in mind that you did everything you could to fulfill that promise, and that occasionally, some things aren't meant to be.