Feeling guilty when you're doing better than somebody else can be a complex emotional response, and several factors might contribute to this feeling:
Empathy and Compassion: If you are an empathetic person, you may feel guilty because you can sense and understand the struggles and hardships the other person is going through. Seeing someone else's difficulties while you're doing well can evoke feelings of compassion and guilt for experiencing a better situation.
Survivor's Guilt: Survivor's guilt is a common psychological phenomenon where individuals feel guilty for surviving a traumatic or challenging event when others did not. In a different context, this feeling may arise when you are experiencing success or prosperity while others around you are not as fortunate.
Social Comparison: Human beings often engage in social comparison, where they evaluate their own abilities, achievements, and circumstances relative to others. If you perceive that you have more advantages or opportunities than someone else, it can lead to feelings of guilt or discomfort.
Sense of Fairness: Feeling guilty might be linked to a sense of fairness and a belief that everyone should have equal opportunities and outcomes. Witnessing inequality or others struggling can trigger feelings of guilt when you perceive a disparity in the distribution of resources or opportunities.
Conditional Worth: Some individuals tie their self-worth to external accomplishments or success. When they are doing better than others, they might feel guilty because they worry about being judged or perceived as arrogant, and their self-worth might be contingent on not outshining others.
Past Experiences: Personal experiences and upbringing can also play a role in how you perceive success and achievements. If you were taught to be modest or were made to feel guilty for outperforming others in the past, it can influence your feelings in similar situations now.
Addressing feelings of guilt when you're doing better than others might involve understanding the root causes of these emotions. It can be helpful to remind yourself that it's okay to succeed and that your success doesn't diminish the value of others. Instead of feeling guilty, consider using your position to support and uplift those who may not be as fortunate. Practicing gratitude, empathy, and finding ways to give back to others can help you manage these feelings and turn them into positive actions. If these feelings persist and significantly impact your well-being, speaking with a mental health professional could be beneficial in exploring and resolving these emotions.