Tonight I wrote myself a permission slip.⁣

“Dear life…I give Catherine the permission to…”⁣

Why? because we all need a little permission. Especially during a pandemic (I mean, this is really my “first” pandemic but I’m going out on a limb and saying it applies). I suspect that social scientists to come will learn from this global experience and if I was betting, my money would be that those who thrive during this time are the ones who give themselves the permission to … (fill in the blank)…⁣

When we give ourselves permission we take off the pressure. We allow ourselves to be kind and compassionate to our own needs – and those of others. We give ourselves a dam break when we need it most.

I have decided there’s a few more to add to my slip and the most important is “make a new list at any moment”.

So what’s your permission list gonna say? I’d love to see them.