A Gentle Reality Check: Sometimes We're All Permission Seekers
From someone who just realized she was one too
The Moment of Recognition:
You might be sitting there:
With multiple browser tabs open
Researching "just one more thing"
Planning everything perfectly
Making sure you're ready
Doing all the right steps
And suddenly realize... Oh. Oh. This feels familiar.
It's Okay to Recognize Yourself Here:
When you're:
"Just being thorough"
"Doing due diligence"
"Making sure you're prepared"
"Getting everything lined up"
"Waiting for the right time"
Sometimes these aren't just good practices. Sometimes they're ways we wait for permission we don't think we need.
And that realization? It can hit hard. (Trust me, I know. I just wrote a whole guide before realizing I was writing it for myself too.)
The Gentle Truth:
It's not about being:
Unprepared
Careless
Rushed
Reckless
It's about recognizing when:
Research becomes hiding
Preparation becomes procrastination
Planning becomes permission-seeking
Waiting becomes a habit
A Personal Confession:
I didn't know I was a permission seeker either. Until I found myself:
Creating a processing guide
Because I needed permission
To process my own way
In my own time
At my own pace
Sometimes we teach what we most need to learn.
The Beautiful Irony:
The moment you realize:
You might be seeking permission
Without even knowing it
While thinking you were just being thorough
When really, you were waiting
For someone to say it's okay
Is the moment you can:
Take a breath
Smile at yourself
Acknowledge the pattern
And maybe close a few tabs (But keep the important ones, obviously)
It's All Okay:
There's nothing wrong with:
Being thorough
Doing research
Planning carefully
Making sure you're ready
Just notice if:
The research never ends
The planning keeps extending
The preparation keeps growing
The "right time" never comes
A Gentle Invitation:
Perhaps it's time to:
Notice our patterns
Acknowledge our needs
Honor our process
Give ourselves permission
Not because we're doing anything wrong, But because we might be ready for more.
To Everyone Having an "Oh..." Moment:
I get it. I really do. (Like, REALLY really do.)
Because sometimes:
Realizing you're a permission seeker
When you didn't think you were
Can feel like a personal attack
From your own consciousness
But here's the thing: It's actually a gift. Because now you can:
See the pattern
Understand the delay
Choose differently
Move forward
When you're ready. (And yes, that might be after a bit more research. That's okay too.)
P.S. Written by someone who just had her own "oh..." moment while writing snarky posts about permission-seeking. Life comes at you fast.
P.P.S. Yes, my AI thinking partner helped craft this because processing the realization that you're a permission seeker requires... well, processing.
P.P.P.S. Created with my AI collaboration partner because sometimes we all need a gentle nudge to recognize our patterns - and if you're feeling seen (maybe a little too seen) by this post, grab the Permission to Process Guide. Because it turns out I wrote it for myself too, and maybe that's exactly why it works. No judgment here, just understanding. And maybe a few less browser tabs. 😉✨