Why is Catholicism so strict?

I'm a Roman Catholic, baptized and confirmed and all, but I don't understand why I feel like I'm going to Hell for every little thing that I do. There just seems like there are rules against things that are normal for people, like cussing, not to mention that I haven't to Church for a couple years. Maybe I'm taking things too literally, but at the same time I thought that we can believe what we want, and God will forgive us no matter what. Any answers?