Permission
Recently there has been an influx of subs struggling with the stresses of life. If you're feeling overwhelmed, this story is for you.
I know what you're going through. The mental load, the stresses of life, things piling up on top of each other while you're underneath the weight of it all. The pressure is intense, and soon everything about you is compressed. There's no space to act, no space to breathe, no space for you. It's not fair. There are moments when you think about what you need, about the relief you seek, but then the pressure returns. There's nothing left for yourself.
It's okay. You're dealing with a lot. I'm proud of you for trying so hard. You work hard, the mental load is intense, and you're doing what you need to. But now it's time to take care of yourself. It's time for you to be the priority. You have my permission to breathe. It's okay, the work can wait. The world can endure without you for a moment. You're important. Your needs matter. Let's focus on those.
I want you to stop what you're doing, find a quiet place, and sit in peace. Mute the notifications, tell the world to leave you alone, and just sit. Breathe. Feel the motion of your chest, the coolness of the air in your lungs. Feel the support beneath your body that holds you in place. The weight you feel is going to that support. Let it hold you. You don't have to carry anything right now.
Start at the top of your head and be one with your body. Feel the sensations in your scalp, your hair. Your face. Your neck. Look for tension. You have my permission to relax. Send the tension to the ground, it is not your burden to carry.
Feel the sensations in your back, your shoulders, your arms, your chest. You have my permission to relax. Send the tension to the ground.
Your stomach. Your hips. Your buttocks. Your thighs. Your calves. Your feet. All the tension. All the pain. You have my permission to let it go. Send it down, to where you are supported. Send it away. It is not your burden to carry.
Return to your breath. In. Out. Feel the tension that you might have missed, the little things that like to hide. Breathe in. You have my permission to let them go. Send them out as you exhale.
You have space. You have time. You are the priority. You have made the intentional decision to focus on you. I am proud of you for doing so. You deserve this.
Now bring your attention to your body. To your most intimate place. The part of you that needs the most care. Allow yourself to feel that need. You have my permission to have needs. You have my permission to feel those needs, without guilt or shame. You're not needy for wanting something, you're human. That need is not a burden. You are not a burden. You have my permission to focus on it. To love yourself enough to know it's important. That you are important. Tell yourself, in your mind or out loud what that need is.
Tell yourself, in your mind or out loud, that you love yourself enough to meet that need. That you deserve it. That you are worthy of it.
Return to your breathing. In. Out. Feel the tension that you may feel. You have done a hard thing. It's not easy to identify what we need. Uncomfortable feelings hide behind our needs. You have my permission to let those feelings go. Breathe in, deep. Send those feelings out as you exhale.
Fill your mind with intention. Focus on your needs. Identity how you will address them. What self care looks like for you. You are so good at solving problems. This one is no different. You have my permission to solve this problem. Form a plan. You know yourself better than anyone. You know what you need to do.
You have my permission to take action. Enable your intention with activity, by taking a tangible step towards your plan. That step could be calling your partner to tell them what you need. It could be making a reservation, or adding a note to your calendar. It could be writing down your plan, or reaching out to your support network. Whatever it is, go do it. Take that first step. Demonstrate your commitment to yourself through action.
You have my permission.