2020 is upon us.

It is almost here.

What a better time to reflect than at the end of the decade. As I write this, I am sitting up late watching the Star Wars: The Last Jedi trying to not get distracted or geek out over seeing the new movie, maybe a discussion for another time.

Anyway, in a few minutes there will be 48 hours left in 2019, and we will welcome in the new decade. I could probably come up with a top 10, top 20, or top 5 tips/tricks/lists on self-care, reflecting on one’s accomplishments, acknowledging our journeys, or going on a discussion on the importance of being authentic. Mind you these are all important things being discussed by other therapists, coaches, motivational speakers, podcasters, Youtubers, and IG influencers. I just want to very briefly talk to you about one thing…. permission.

Permission. Yes. Permission. Why? When was the last time you sincerely gave yourself just permission? As I have come to learn in culture, popular thought, working with clients, friends, family, talking with colleagues, etc…. we (the general ‘we’ as people) give ourselves less permission than we think. I am sure there is some statistic I will find and add to this later on. I know that several people have written on the subject.

Let’s go back. So permission… we don’t give it to ourselves enough.

Permission for what?

Here’s a secret.

It doesn’t matter for what, to do what, about what…. cause deep down it is just the act of just allowing ourselves to be.

This could be permission to allow ourselves the chance to feel, to think, to act, to embrace, to enjoy, to love, even love ourselves. Maybe chase a dream, to follow through, to have that difficult conversation, to take charge, ask for a raise, have a hard talk with a partner, show up for someone you weren’t planning to, and event take your self-care more seriously. This could even be to plan a vacation without hesitation, say no, to step back, set a boundary, embrace your body, to go a different direction, to look at food differently, say goodbye to pain, let go of suffering, to wave good-bye to fear…. and maybe just maybe [fill in the blank here] _____________. Permission has to start from somewhere.

It can be very very hard to start and give yourself permission.

Let me be someone to just tell YOU … you NOW have permission to celebrate the end of this decade in order to give yourself permission to welcome a new one.

And most importantly..

you have PERMISSION…

to be YOU.

Breathe it in.

Hold. A pause or two.

Breathe it out and allow it to just be.

Let yourself have more permission in this new year and decade.

Thanks for reading.

See you in 2020.

Cheers,

-Z