Those three little words. No No, not those words.
These….
YOU HAVE PERMISSION.
I hate to say it but we (myself included) often thrive off it. In a world full of standards, we thrive off affirmation.
You have permission to take a rest day, or two, or three
You have permission to escape reality for a solo run. No distractions, just you and your thoughts.
You have permission to take a compliment —> yes, read here.
You have permission to take a enjoy a glass of wine or dessert or both!
You have permission to like green smoothies (I mean, who doesn’t?)
You have permission to SLOW DOWN, to disconnect.
You have permission to have an “Off week” or to be in a “funk.”
Those three little words, we sometimes search for them when we don’t believe in giving permission to ourselves.
Permission to be CONTENT.
Permission to DREAM BIG
Permission to be STRANGE –> I am, for sure!
Permission to be BOLD
Permission to be Kind, Genuine, and REAL
Permission to be ………YOU!
If I gave myself permission, wait no, let’s change that to present tense. I DO give myself permission to be me.
Crazy Cotter, Corny Cotter, Sherpa wife, burpee junkie, strange food lover, wino, sporadic blogger, gluten free foodie, faith filled woman, slow runner, trail lover, kombucha addict, healthy bites maker, DREAMING BIG connoisseur, and all kinds of imperfect, which makes me… ME.
Permission to be YOU Link Love-
- where this whole post originated from—> Permission to be Yourself
- Laura’s Permission to being different. Ya, I can relate. Strange is good!
- Annette’s Permission to BE YOU, and enjoy it! Yes, laugh at yourself too!
- Kristin’s Permission to be Real and TRUE.
- Holly’s Permission to be HAPPIER
When I give myself permission to just me be, I am more balanced. Why? Because I am juggling a lot less pressure, less pressure to perform, and more FOCUS on what’s in front of me—> THE PRESENT.
So, how will you give yourself permission to be YOU today?
Cheers,
LC
p.s.
Check out who won the GF Stuffin recipe HERE. Don’t worry, i give you permission to leave this page. 😉
Loving all of your freaking posts. So glad you shared from the archives. You rock, Linds! Enjoy your Sunday 🙂
and i freaking love you! glad you stopped by today. Enjoy your sunday too friend!
Love this and reading it now the timing couldn’t be better! I’m going to try it. Just be.
yes indeed friend! we need to just be
I definitely think we need to go easier on ourselves in general. And yes, give ourselves permission to take needed breaks, etc. Thank you for reminding us all that it is OKAY to do that!
visiting from Christine’s blog… 🙂
Love this!! I have really been loving all the self-love going around these days…you just can’t have enough in this day and age! I have the permission to love my body no matter it’s imperfections and embrace it in exchange for what it allows me to do every day!
I love this post Lindsay. I’ve been thinking a lot about this but more through the lens of compassion. But in the same vein, it’s often hard to give ourselves to be permission to compassionate to ourselves which then allows us to accept all the other parts of our selves. xo
Great sentiment. Giving ourselves permission can be the hardest thing to do sometimes, but it’s usually the most rewarding. I gave myself permission to take a cat nap today (instead of raking the yard), and it was delicious and rejuvenating. So much so, I made soup and cleaned the kitchen when I got up. I ended up wit a great dinner and still checked something off the To Do list, but with a much better attitude.
Oh man, Linds – your posts are always so full of wisdom and good reminders. Thanks for sharing YOU with us and giving us permission to get a peek inside your life and mind! You are one beautiful, talented, thoughtful and growing woman – thanks for reminding me of this good truth today. 🙂 Love you!
Thanks so much for the inspiration and motivation to be in the present. It is soo hard to not worry about what others will think and if you are keeping up. I am a passionate person, things affect me and I am also the queen of over thinking. Can be a dangerous combination. Need to remember to give myself permission to cut myself some slack. Thanks.
passionate people need more permission. One to let their emotions flow but also to be realistic. It’s hard but recognizing the difference between the two is key, yes? sit back, cut yourself some slack, and keep going, indeed!
This is an absolutely outstanding post. I had to feature it on my blog’s Weekend Wrap-Up this week — it really resonated with me and I hope my readers enjoy it as much as I did. Thank you for writing such an uplifting blog post, and I hope you have a great weekend!
Here’s the link to the wrap-up — feel free to stop by and grab a badge for your post, if you like!
http://www.floptimism.com/2013/10/weekend-wrap-up-pumpkin.html#more-1844
I especially love the permission to be strange. Go strange! 🙂
Yes yes yes! Permission to go easy on myself! Happy Friday!
This is a great post thank you for it. I sometimes think to myself there is so much information in regards to ways of living life…what is even correct? I came to realize that it is what makes me happy. Right now I’m the least stressed and happiest I’ve ever been, despite moving 4 times this year. I am truly thankful for giving myself that permission.
Such an awesome reminder! And much needed as I got to the end of my week exhausted. Thanks, friend!
I gave myself permission to spend the whole afternoon in the kitchen and leave my school work be for a day. I have the whole weekend to do that but the kitchen time was much needed TODAY. Focusing on the present. 🙂
yes, do it! and while you are in there, make me something
The only thing I don’t ALLOW myself to do is skip a day of exercise. If I do, I will ALWAYS regret it, because I feel like POOP in a brown paper bag, on fire, in the front of someone’s house. Yeah, that’s not a good feeling. LOL!
Beautiful post, my friend- and much needed. So often in life we second guess everything or have to ‘deserve’ something positive upon ourselves. Screw that, I give myself permission to be selfish once in a while.
…and procrastinate with this statistics paper. Oops.
I give myself permission to freak out when the vacuum cleaner stops because of all of the rainbow loom rubber bands laying around my house, what’s rainbow loom? don’t ask. I give myself permission to roll my eyes when a parent says to me, “Johnny doesn’t do well at playdates because he’s an alpha male” (Basically what your telling me is your kids a jackass and you look the other way) See, I feel better already. 🙂
oh good. glad you vented. and i am sure your alpha male kid will be a great leader some day. Just sayin. 😉
I’m just stumbling across your blog and I think it’s great! I’ve actually been following on Instagram for a while.
Anyway, I love this post. It’s so inspirational. I’m giving myself permission to feel okay if I don’t do amazing on my 10k this weekend. I recently got engaged and it got in the way of my training but I’m going to let myself have a pass this time. It’s a pretty important time in my life and I can run a race whenever I want!
yes, don’t sweat it. have fun and race happy!
It sounds super cheesy, but I wish I could read your words of inspiration every morning — they always put me into a happy mood. Happy almost Friday lady 🙂
cheese it up friend, I love ya!
LOVE this.
Need to go back and read your slow down challenge. Might have to implement one of my own. I talked to my counselor today about needing alone time and discovered the last true “alone” time was Easter 2012. Yikes. This is why i so desperately miss running. It’s the only exercise you can do where you’re truly alone. Biking requires too much attention to be paid elsewhere, the gym is full of bros, and workout videos are lame. Running solo is just about the only time I can ever, ever get to myself because nobody ever wants to go with me.
when can you start running again? you need it!
I’ve been jogging on the DL (snail pace — almost walking) and working on form. Just been going as long as I feel and as far as I feel. No headphones. Not looking at a clock or anything. Just a couple days of the week. I feel a lot less stressed about life with a bit of running.
I love this! People need to remember that you can do what you want to do! I’ve given myself permission to have two rest days this week. Six months ago I wouldn’t have been content with this. It shows how much I’ve progressed over time! Thank you for the reminder!
that’s a tough one and so glad you have given yourself that permission!
Love, love, love this post!
We all deserve all the happiness and love in the world. Or what ever else we want in life.
Lately I’ve been giving myself permission to ease on the exercise while I try and work on my insomnia issues. Little sleep and exercise makes me a little cranky;)
i hope you can sleep better soon friend. I can relate. Lots of walking and less intensity. xxoo
This is a great post! I find often that I am trying to be someone else; what others want me to be and maybe they are good qualities but they are not really me. I think I would be happier if I were just me all the time. And I give myself permission to not care what others think.
yes do it!
Thank you for reminding us all that we don’t need to have approval for every little thing we do. I used to deny myself permission to take rest days, SLOW DOWN, or have that second cookie. This is a wonderful post! Thanks, Lindsay!
oh yes, second cookie, with milk
I am giving myself permission to keep on my cranky pants and be in a funk! I thought they would go away after a terrible sleep last night, but they didn’t. It’s okay to not be chipper all the time and today is my day…how many hours are left? 😉
We’re on the same wavelength, friend (as usual). Lately I’ve been giving myself permission to workout for less than an hour, and for less than 6 days a week. My schedule is just too crazy right now and I can’t force it; time with my family is more important. At the same time, I let myself sneak in those workouts when I can; because I’ve found that when I don’t, I’m not the happiest mommy or wife that I could be 😉
at least you can still workout. that’s good! you will work extra hard, i know it! xxo
i love how inspirational your posts are 🙂 i so often struggle with giving myself permission to LIVE. my mantra is “i deserve” and posts like this help me practice.
yes, LIVE. so much easier said than done but we CAN!
Beautiful. I think I’ll give myself permission to have a glass of wine tonight! Cheers!
oh yes, cheers!
Yes!!!!! I think this is a lesson we learn with age. I’ve seen myself do this more and more lately… in the end, you have to be good to yourself if you want to be your best for others.
But can you ask my trainer to give me permission for a glass of wine? 😉
I love your wisdom and I love that you got to that place at such a young age! That letting go and being yourself is key to health and happiness. Well done!
i learn from others.. ahem.. you.
Needed this so much friend. I need to give myself permission to still grieve and be sad. It hit me again today, that my Nala is gone and I just crumpled into a ball of emotions. I thought it would get easier, and I know it will, but it’ll take time and I need to allow for that. Thank you friend, your words are always so deeply inspiring to me. xo
you have FULL permission to go through the emotions, no matter how long it takes. xxoo
Great post- I give myself permission to taper before the race on Sunday, even though I know that I deserve to taper for it. 🙂
race? ohhh taper and enjoy!!!
I had an off week last week. Was just in a funk and then let it get to me way more than it should because I had zero reason to be all down and blah about things. I could have used this reminder then and I promise to give myself permission to be in a funk the next time it inevitably rolls around. We all have them anyway from time to time, right? 😉
amen! we all have those weeks! Just gotta “funk” it out. haha
Love this! I’ve been trying to give myself permission to relax lately and this is the perfect reminder. Today I will give myself permission to a glass of wine and mindless tv 🙂
Love this post! Such a positive way to approach things 🙂
YES to this post!! I love it so much 🙂 Today I give myself permission to not have all together, and also not give myself a time limit TO have all together like my Type-A brain wants to. P.S. You’re showing up in my BlogLovin’ now – yay!!! <3
today you can be an A- or B+ hehe
I always feel guilty doing things for myself without justification for someone else. I guess because I rely on my parent’s A LOT, I feel like I almost need to ask them if it’s okay for me to do something. My mom always calls me crazy because I think this way, but it’s hard to just do things without feeling like you should be doing something else (more productive) with your time.
i think we all go through that stage in life. Becoming more independent and trusting yourself. Not crazy, just life progressing
Great thoughts, Linds!
Permission to REST. And just be.
I give myself permission to have a crush on myself. It’s okay to think you’re pretty awesome — which goes hand-in-hand with the accepting compliments thing! If you feel you’re worthy, you’ll accept and internalize those compliments <3. Great post!
i think you are awesome. Crushin!
Great post! I don’t give myself permission nearly enough. I beat myself up over having dessert or taking an extra rest day. It never fails that on my rest day someone will ask me how miles I ran that day, and as I say none, it’s a rest day, I feel bad about myself. For not getting out there and running even though I need rest. I need to give myself permission to embrace those rest days and not feel guilty about them!
I love this post! I need to give myself permission to stop being so hard on myself. I lost my job and ever since then I have been so hard on myself thing I have failed everyone but in fact I haven’t! I need to give myself permission to let go and move on! There is so much more of life to live!
Love this post! I tend to be hard on myself sometimes and expect a lot of myself, but I don’t need to do that all the time. Nobody is putting the pressure on me, except for me. I give myself permission to ease up on myself and just do my best. Thanks for this reminder Lindsay!
well said friend!
yes!! This is soo spot on. I need to remind myself of this often! My biggest thing now is I need to give myself permission to cut myself a break!
You have no idea how often I need to be reminded of this. I never let myself do anything out of fear that I should be doing something else. Today, I give myself permission to do yoga and to stop work to spend time with my niece. Feels good just thinking about it!
LOVE LOVE LOVE!! Sometimes we need to get rid of the guilt and just learn how to relax and enjoy!
Big Amen to this my friend!! Sometimes I wonder, who’s rules we are following when not giving ourselves permission. I still struggle with giving myself permission to NOT move on a day. I mean like really just being lazy. I definitely think my body would give myself permission!!
it definitely needs it! mind and body!
Sherpas are known to be wise, aren’t they?! This is beautiful and true. Why do we feel like we need permission to be a certain way that maybe doesn’t fit the mold we or others expect from us?
I think the permission to be content is a huge one. For some reason it doesn’t seem ok to simply be content you know? Love reading your inspiring words first thing in the morning. Hugs friend!
LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! I am so with you!!! I am planning a post on this too – in the works. Let’s just say it starts about a girl that spent too much of her life trying to fit in & by doing that, left herself out… 🙂
I am all about permission to be YOU!!!! 🙂
i can’t wait to read! <3
this is beautiful Lindsay! Gosh I love you! I gave myself permission last night to go to bed at 8:30! I really needed to listen to what my body was asking for and I did!
It can be so hard to give ourselves this permission, but we all need it. I think it’s our surroundings that make it so hard on ourselves, and the constant comparison.. but we need to be ourselves! We already have permission to live our life how we want!
Nothing like starting my day with a good dose of sherpa wisdom 🙂 I think the biggest one I struggle with is giving myself permission to be “off.” I get really hard on myself if I don’t feel like I’m as happy and peppy as I should be, even though logically I know it’s not possible 100% of the time. Today I’m giving myself permission to take chances and make mistakes.
did you? make any mistakes… ? i do everyday. 😉
I did! I put my left sock on my right foot and my right sock on my left foot. Oops 😉
i love everything about this post! it does seem, all too often, that we do need some type of unwritten or unspoken “permission” for lots of what you wrote about. so thank you. i’m not sure what i’ll give myself permission for today since i’ve been pretty loosey goosey about all things life lately, but i’ll find something! 🙂
ooh Im writing one to link up here too.
Im giving me a lot of permission lately.
I love this – I have been working a lot lately on balance and I think that maybe this is the key – I need to learn to give myself permission. I really like that you included the “permission to be in a funk.” Some days I feel guilty because I know I have a great life but I’m still in a funk – but if I give myself permission to have a bad day every once in awhile maybe it will make those days a bit easier!!!
we can totally have those days. we’re human, yes!
I love this post. Too often we do NOT give ourselves permission. We can be our toughest critic. Today, I give myself permission to be imperfect.
best answer amy!