Hey there. For the longest time, I believed I needed permission. Permission to take a new direction, to make a change, or to fully embrace the life I wanted to live. But the truth is, no one is coming to give you the green light. You don’t need anyone’s approval to start moving forward. You just need to decide.
I get why it’s tempting to wait. When you seek permission from others, it takes some of the pressure off. If things don’t work out, you can say, “Well, I never really had the go-ahead,” or “I was too busy focusing on other people.” It’s an easy way to avoid responsibility for your own choices. And if you do take the leap but things don’t go as planned, you can always blame the fact that you weren’t fully committed. But deep down, you know that’s not the real issue.
Failure isn’t about things not going perfectly. You could try a hundred different things, and if just one or two gain momentum, that’s success. And momentum looks different for everyone. Sometimes, it’s as simple as trying something new and realizing you love it. That’s a win.
But most people never give themselves the chance. They try once or twice, hit a rough patch, and never start again because it didn’t go how they imagined. Or they use their responsibilities to others as a reason to stay in place. But let’s be honest—are you really living for them? Or are you using them as an excuse to avoid your own growth?
Maybe you’ve spent so much time putting others first that you don’t even know what you want anymore. That’s okay. The first step isn’t some massive change, it’s getting clear on what actually matters to you. And maybe you’ll find that most of your life aligns with what you truly want. That’s great! But if there are parts you’re just tolerating, why not take a closer look?
Some changes won’t be worth it to you, and that’s fine too. But don’t confuse discomfort with failure. Starting something new feels awkward. That’s not a sign to stop, it’s just part of the process.
At the end of the day, only you know what’s right for you. No one else can make that call. So stop waiting for permission. Decide what you want, and start moving toward it.
If you’re ready to work on this process from the inside out, join The YLF Experience for guidance, resources, and a supportive community. Sign up here.