“It is so hard to leave—until you leave. And then it is the easiest goddamned thing in the world,” wrote John Green.
Sometimes we reach a point in life where things are simply not working for us. Unfortunately, as human beings, we are terrified of change. We don’t have the courage to give ourselves permission to leave toxicity behind – so we end up carrying it with us instead. We accumulate baggage. Sometimes it ruins us.
It is in these moments that we need to hear something powerful.
You are allowed to leave.
You are allowed to let go. You are allowed to unburden yourself.
Here are ten things you are allowed to leave behind:
1. You are allowed to leave a relationship that doesn’t feel right.
You are allowed to leave if they’re cheating. You are allowed to leave if they are abusive. You are allowed to leave if your partner is absolutely wonderful, but simply not the right person for you. You have a right to create a love story that is passionate, unique, and wholly satisfying.
2. You are allowed to walk away from your mistakes.
Your past does not need to define your future.
3. You have the power to separate from your addictions – to food, sex, drugs, alcohol, technology, or anything else.
It may not feel that way right now – but you do. You are stronger than you think.
4. You are allowed to leave a friendship that is toxic, manipulative, or simply not heartfelt and genuine anymore.
You have the power to surround yourself with people who help you shine, rather than people who drag you down.
5. You have permission to shed any layers of your personality that no longer serve you.
6. You have permission to leave your own expectations behind.
Are you not where you imagined you would be five years ago? Do you even want to be? Don’t hold yourself to standards you set that no longer suit you. You have the right to rewrite your story – and redefine your expectations – at any time.
7. You can quit a job that leaves you feeling unstimulated, unfulfilled, undervalued, degraded, or simply unhappy.
You have permission to find something better.
8. You are allowed to leave a city that holds too many negative experiences, broken relationships, and unpleasant memories.
You have permission to find an environment that builds you up and gives you new opportunities. You are not obligated to stay stuck in a place that brings out the worst in you.
9. You are allowed to leave behind a lifestyle that doesn’t feel like the best and most authentic version of you.
10. You can leave behind anything you don’t love about yourself.
You are not bound to carry your flaws with you forever. Give yourself permission to be the best version of yourself that you can be. If you don’t like who you are, change it. This is exclusively your right.
“If you ever find yourself in the wrong story, leave,” wrote Mo Willems. Consider this your official permission to do so.
