Spoiler alert: You don’t have to fix this moment. Or yourself. Seriously. Here’s what happens when you finally stop trying to control everything…
Yesterday, I came across a powerful quote by Jon Kabat-Zinn: “Give yourself permission to allow this moment to be exactly as it is, and allow yourself to be exactly as you are.” It made me pause. How often do we fight against what is, whether it’s a stressful situation, an emotion we don’t want to feel, or a moment that doesn’t match our expectations?
We spend so much energy trying to control everything—ourselves, our environment, our outcomes. It’s exhausting. But what if, instead, we allowed things to be as they are?
When was the last time you gave yourself permission to just be?
How could this shift your experience of stress, anxiety, or even joy?
Here are a few practices to explore this idea of allowing:
1. Pause for Acceptance: The next time you feel overwhelmed, take a moment to pause. Notice the situation or emotion without trying to change it. What happens when you simply accept it?
2. Self-Compassion Check-In: At some point today, reflect on how you’re feeling. Allow yourself to feel exactly what’s present without judgment. How does offering yourself this kindness shift your internal dialogue?
3. Let Go of Control: Try allowing one moment in your day to unfold without intervening. Can you practice being an observer instead of needing to “fix” the situation?
Allowing yourself and the moment to be is a powerful act of self-compassion. 🙂
What could you give yourself permission to accept today?