Many of us live guided by an unspoken list of prohibitions formed in childhood or as a result of painful life experiences. We set our own boundaries, limiting ourselves in simple joys and natural expressions of feeling. But what if I told you: “Give yourself permission to live! Give yourself permission for what is actually your natural need, your right”?
This article is a reminder of what you can and even should do to gain more inner freedom and harmony. So, what is allowed?
You Are Allowed to Breathe
It seems obvious, doesn’t it? But many of us, when faced with strong emotions, be it joy or sorrow, forget to breathe properly. We tense up, hold our breath, breathe shallowly from the chest, as if trying to become invisible. Yet deep, diaphragmatic breathing is the key to relaxation, calming the nervous system, and an influx of energy.
Give yourself permission to breathe. Pay attention to your breathing right now. Try taking a deep breath, filling your abdomen with air, and then exhale slowly. Feel your muscles relax and the tension subside. Do this regularly, especially in moments of stress.
You Are Allowed to Be Joyful
It sounds trivial, but many of us forget to enjoy the little things, filling our lives with worries and cares. It’s as if we’ve forgotten what it’s like to experience sincere joy, to enjoy simple moments.
Make time for what you truly enjoy. Even small joys: a cup of aromatic coffee in the morning, a walk in the fresh air, an interesting book, a few pennies earned through betting on 22 Bet, a trip to the thermal baths with relatives can significantly improve your mood and quality of life. Don’t be afraid to express your positive emotions.
You Are Allowed to Cry
Tears are a natural reaction of the body to emotions. They help us release accumulated tension, process pain, and gain clarity. Crying is not shameful; it is a form of emotional release.
Don’t hold back tears if you are sad or even overjoyed. Cry if you need to. Cry at home, alone; cry on a loved one’s shoulder; cry in a public place if necessary. It doesn’t matter what others think. What matters is your emotional well-being. And remember, sincere tears often attract compassion and support.
You Are Allowed to Be Angry
And this does not contradict love, compassion, or other positive feelings. You can love someone with all your heart and simultaneously feel anger towards that same person. For example, parents love their children but can also be angry with them for disobedience or an unwillingness to cooperate. This is normal. It’s important to understand that anger is a feeling, not an action. The feeling itself is not destructive. Only the actions we take under the influence of that anger are destructive.
Talk about your anger. Don’t be afraid to tell another person that something hurt you, that you don’t like their behavior. Do it calmly, clearly, and directly, avoiding blame and insults. Focus on your feelings: “I feel angry when…”, “I feel upset because…”.
Channel anger into achieving goals. Turn its energy into fuel for action. If something irritates you at work, use that anger to find a solution to the problem, increase your efficiency, get a promotion, or change employers.
Make room for the new. Sometimes anger indicates that it’s time to change something in your life. Relationships, work, habits — anything that causes constant irritation may need adjustment or complete abandonment.
Defend your boundaries. Anger towards loved ones often signals a violation of your boundaries. This doesn’t mean you need to start a fight immediately. Calmly and firmly explain to the person what you don’t like and what limits they should not cross.
You Are Allowed to Say No
Many of us are afraid to refuse people, take on too much, and sacrifice our own interests for the sake of others. This leads to exhaustion, stress, and feelings of inadequacy.
Learn to say no if you don’t want to or can’t do something. This is not rudeness; it is your right to set boundaries. Taking care of yourself is a necessity.
You Are Allowed to Make Mistakes
We often fear making mistakes, striving for an unattainable ideal. The fear of failure paralyzes us, preventing development and trying new things.
Mistakes are an integral part of life, a valuable experience that helps us learn and grow. Don’t be afraid to experiment, try, and make errors. We learn important lessons from them.
You Are Allowed to Ask for Help
Many of us consider asking for help a sign of weakness. But this is a misconception. Asking for help is a sign of strength, an ability to acknowledge one’s limitations and use the support of others. Most people will be happy to help if given the opportunity. By helping others, they feel needed and significant.
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