A Practical Guide for Empowerment & Self-Permission
Purpose
This guide is here to help you give yourself permission to rest, recharge, and do something for you without guilt, excuses, or that weird voice in your head telling you you’re lazy.
What You’ll Get
By the end, you’ll have:
- A Simple Plan for Taking a Break: That actually fits into your day.
- Less Guilt, More “That’ll Do”: Because resting doesn’t mean you’ve given up on life.
- A Bit More Energy: So you can get through the day without wanting to set fire to your inbox.
Time Commitment
- Quick Version: 5 minutes to sketch a plan.
- Full Version: Up to 30-60 minutes if you want to properly think it through, make a cuppa, and stare into the middle distance for a bit.
Whichever you choose you’ll finish this today. No endless journaling. No vision boards.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Admit You Need It – Let’s be honest: if you’re reading this, you’re tired. And if you’re not, you will be soon. Write down ONE reason you know you need a break.
(e.g., “I nearly cried when I dropped a spoon” or “I just shouted at an email”).
This is your permission slip.
2. Pick a Break That Actually Feels Good – Avoid anything that sounds like a self-improvement project disguised as rest (no ‘catching up on reading that makes you feel stupid’).
Pick one thing that feels easy and enjoyable:
- Nap? Yes.
- Sit down with biscuits and a podcast? Absolutely.
- Mindlessly scroll your phone? If it helps, go for it.
Write it down. That’s your break.
3. Decide When It’s Happening – Look at today. Find a slot. Even 10 minutes.
- After lunch?
- After you’ve survived a meeting?
- Before you decide what’s for dinner?
Write it down like it’s an appointment with someone important (because it is).
4. Take the Break (Even If It Feels Weird) – When your planned break arrives, TAKE IT. Ignore the guilt. You’re not abandoning society; you’re sitting down for 15 minutes. The world will cope. If guilt creeps in, repeat:
“Resting is not slacking. It’s recharging. I am not a phone. I cannot run on 1% all day.”
5. Notice the Difference – After your break, check in:
- Feel a bit less grumpy?
- Managed to get through an hour without muttering under your breath?
- Noticed you don’t hate everyone quite as much?
That’s progress.
Extra Hints & Tips
- Small Breaks Count: You don’t need a spa day. 10 minutes sitting down like a Victorian gentleman can work wonders.
- Set a Timer: If you’re worried you’ll never get up again, set a timer. Break done. Back to it.
- Start Small: If ‘rest’ still feels like a foreign concept, start with 5 minutes and work up.
Next Steps (If You Fancy Them)
- Try a ‘Boundary’ Experiment: Say “No” to something tiny today. See if the world ends.
- Design a ‘Go-To Break’: One thing you can always do when you need 10 minutes. Have it ready like a snack stash.
Final Thought
You are allowed to rest. You’re not a robot. Take the break. Feel better. Carry on. Because you’ll be brighter for it.
