Permission Slips for Your Late 20s: Because You’re Doing Better Than You Think

Listen baby, grab a cuppa and take what you need today, cause I took all the permission slips today. I reckon you do the same! And no I am not British, I just love saying allat...

And just so we are on the same page, you can be at any point in life-40s or 20s and still grab a permission slip or two. (It's just that, as you can see I am currently a 26 year old in a Toddler's mind- explains the heading.)

Look, I know. Life’s been lifing, hasn’t it? You’re sitting here, scrolling through your phone, thinking about all the things you should be doing, while simultaneously wondering why you feel so damn tired all the time.

Spoiler alert: It’s because you’re carrying too much.

But let me ask you something: when’s the last time you gave yourself a break? And I don’t mean some “Oh, I’ll just have a lazy Sunday” nonsense while you’re internally screaming about deadlines, laundry, and that text you forgot to reply to three days ago.

I’m talking about real permission. The kind where you stop apologizing for existing and start giving yourself grace.

Because here’s the truth, boo: You deserve better—from the world, sure—but mostly from YOU.

So today, we’re writing some permission slips. You don’t need anyone else to sign off on them but you. And yes, you’re going to stick these in your metaphorical Trapper Keeper (Google it if you’re too young for that reference).

Permission Slip #1: I Give Myself Permission to Rest Without Guilt

Let’s cut the crap, okay?

You are not a machine. You are not Google Calendar. You are not booked and busy if “booked” means burnout and “busy” means never seeing sunlight.

You’re tired.

So lay your Black butt down and REST (or whoever you are baby, in the clerb, we all fam) .

And while you’re at it? Stop calling it self-care like you have to make an excuse for it. You don’t need a reason to rest. You’re a human, not a 24/7 drive-thru window.

Permission Slip #2: I Give Myself Permission to Say No Without Explaining

This one’s for my over-helpers, my people-pleasers, my “Sure, I can take that on!” warriors who are one favor away from losing their damn minds.

Say it with me now: No.

Not “No, because I’m busy,” or “No, I can’t because I have something else.” Just no. Period.

It’s a full sentence, babe. Let them figure out their own drama.

Permission Slip #3: I Give Myself Permission to Celebrate Small Wins

Did you fold the laundry today? Did you drink water instead of three iced coffees? Did you email back that one person who’s been haunting your inbox?

Congratulations, you’re doing amazing, sweetie.

Small wins are wins too. Stop acting like the only thing worth celebrating is some life-changing moment on a yacht in Dubai (although that must be nice, NGL). Sometimes, the win is just getting through the day without snapping at the customer service agent who didn’t deserve your smoke.

Permission Slip #4: I Give Myself Permission to Outgrow People

Oh, this one’s gonna hurt a little. But it’s necessary.

Some people are not meant to go with you to the next chapter of your life. It doesn’t mean you’re better than them. It doesn’t mean they’re trash (okay, maybe a little trash, but we’ll be kind). It just means you’re growing in different directions, and that’s okay.

Let them go. Wish them well. And stop trying to squeeze yourself into spaces you’ve outgrown just because you’re afraid of being alone.

Permission Slip #5: I Give Myself Permission to Be a Work in Progress

You don’t have to have it all figured out.

Read that again.

You don’t have to have it all figured out.

Nobody does. Even the people on Instagram with the aesthetic morning routines and perfectly edited lives are running on vibes and oat milk most of the time.

It’s okay to be a little messy. It’s okay to still be figuring things out.

You are not behind. You’re right where you need to be.

Permission Slip #6: I Give Myself Permission to Forgive Myself

Remember that thing you keep replaying in your head? The mistake, the missed opportunity, the words you wish you could take back?

It’s time to let it go, sis.

You can’t keep punishing yourself for things that are already done. You don’t deserve to live in that mental prison anymore. Forgive yourself, not because it erases the past, but because it frees you for the future.

Long Story Short: You’re Doing Better Than You Think

So here’s the deal: life is not a race, and you don’t get bonus points for suffering through it.

Write yourself a permission slip. Hell, write five. And if anyone asks, tell them I said it’s fine and if it bothers them, they can meet me at the parking lot. I will BOX them for you baby, only one of us should be needing a lawyer... Plus they won't even see me coming.. hehehe