The definition of “permission” is to give consent to or to authorize.
We often think of it in the context of other people. And power over. Parents must sign a permission slip to let their children go on a school field trip. A city might grant permission to a builder to construct a new apartment complex. Employers give their employees permission to take vacation or leave work early.
But when it comes to giving ourselves permission, we often freeze.
We forget our agency and our sovereignty. We forget that we are independent and free grown-ups who can make decisions for ourselves. Do we have partners and children and parents and friends and employees and clients that we are responsible to? Sure.
But we forget our #1 responsibility…TO OURSELVES.
Can I…Rest? Take a day off? Change my mind? Try something new?
We ask ourselves…Is it OK? Can I really? But what will people think?
We hesitate.
We worry.
We second guess.
STOP THAT!
(And if you can’t do it on your own, I hereby grant you permission to STOP THAT! 😊)
It’s old conditioning that’s no longer necessary or helpful. Maybe it’s how you were raised. Or you had a work environment that kept you on your toes. Or it reminds you of an unhealthy relationship where you felt you had to check with your partner for every little decision.
But you are a grown-a$$ adult now!
What do you want?
What do you need?
What do you dream of?
In the early weeks of my new Solid Ground Coaching Program, I invited participants to write their own permission slips and it was a powerful exercise for them to go through. They shared things like:
- I give myself permission to let go of the feeling I need to do “it all.”
- I give myself permission to feel excited about the future.
- I give myself permission to let go and start again.
- I give myself permission to believe in beauty and possibility and ease.
- I give myself permission to turn my back on chaos and dwell in the miracle of possibility.
- I give myself permission to dance.
- I give myself permission to do it imperfectly.
- I give myself permission to lay in bed all day if I need to.
The sooner you give yourself permission to say NO to the naysayers in your life and say YES to the intuitive voice that says “Go for it!”, the sooner you’ll be living a life of joy and freedom.
What are you willing to give yourself permission for today?
Comment and let me know. I’ll cheer you on!
Elizabeth
P.S. Need inspiration? Stimulate your creative permission slip juices HERE (Links to 7 different articles about permission. I’m a bit passionate about the subject!)
P.P.S. One of my favorite authors on the subject is Jeanette Leblanc. Scroll down through her Instagram feed to find some gorgeous examples of permission slips that are frame-worthy!