NaPodPoMo Day 23 – Radical Permission to Just Be

Welcome to the RadicalRx Show, and welcome to day 23 of NaPodPoMo. And just to clarify, that's na as in national, not na as in nah. I'm not going to do this, because trust me, there have been moments this month where that thought has crossed my mind. I can't believe I've been saying it wrong for 22 days, especially since I spent so much time the first couple of days just trying to learn how to say it right.

So hat tip to RJ for pointing out to me that it is indeed NaPodPoMo and not Nah pod Pomo. Oh, well, at least I'll have it right for the final week of this challenge. Today has been an interesting day for me. I slept in and I missed an important meeting on a Saturday morning, of all days, because of two things. One, I didn't realize I'd actually scheduled a meeting, a business meeting on a Saturday morning.

I thought I had the luxury of sleeping in without setting an alarm. And two, the truth is, I really needed a day to just be. But I had scheduled myself a day to just work. So here I am, deciding I'm just going to show up as I am today. I threw on one of my favorite shirts. It's something comfy that makes me feel good. And that's enough. No makeup, no fuss, bags under my eyes, just me showing up to talk about something I think we all need to hear.

The power of giving ourselves permission to just be. It got me thinking about how often we ignore our need for rest or stillness in favor of pushing through. How often we schedule work when we should be scheduling time to recharge. So today, I want to dive into the idea of radical permission. Permission to pause, to rest, to let go of expectations, and to simply exist without guilt. So let's unpack this together, starting with why we feel so much pressure to always be doing and always achieving.

I've been loving this creative process of na na, no. See, I can't even say it right now. NaPodPoMo. Brainstorming topics, crafting episodes. But when it's time to actually sit or stand in front of the camera, some days it feels overwhelming. There's this pressure not only to create, but to make it meaningful, polished, and valuable. And here's something I realized today. Part of the reason I struggle isn't because I don't want to show up.

It's because I feel this underlying pressure to look a certain way, to put on makeup, fix my hair, present this polished version of myself. And honestly, some days, I just don't want to do that. In fact, most days I don't want to wear makeup at all. I think so many of us, especially women, feel this unspoken expectation to look camera ready whenever we're putting ourselves out there, and it's exhausting.

Some days it feels like the effort of getting ready for the camera is bigger than the message I'm trying to share. But here's the thing. I started this podcast to share my authentic self, not some curated version of me. So I'm working on letting go of all that pressure. Some days I might wear some makeup, and other days I'll show up exactly as I am. What matters most is showing up in a way that feels true to me, and I will continue to do that.

This isn't just about makeup or appearance. It's about the constant push to meet external expectations. Whether it's how we look, how we perform, or how we show up, it's a reminder that we don't have to be perfect to be impactful. And for those of us who are perfectionists, that's a big realization. And this realization brought me back to the idea of just being, which we're going to dive into that next.

So what does it mean to just be? When I talk about just being, I mean stepping away from that drive to always produce something or always fixing something. It's about allowing yourself to simply exist in the moment without judgment and without any guilt. No guilt, no shame. For so many of us, it's hard because the idea of just being feels foreign or even wrong. We've been conditioned to believe that if we're not constantly moving forward, then we're falling behind that mindset.

That mindset can make stillness feel like failure. And I'm going to just keep on going when I make mistakes like that, because that's part of me. I'm going to trip over my tongue now and then, so onward. I've had times where I've sat down with a cup of matcha, determined to relax, only to find my mind ruminating on all the things I think I should be doing. The to do list, the deadlines, the projects.

It's like my brain can't let go, and I have to remember to say, now don't you should, on me. So let's talk about some practical practices for just being. I'm not going to cover a lot, just a couple of easy things that you could try doing in your own life. One is breath work. Taking a few deep breaths and focusing on nothing but the inhale and the exhale.

Another is nature walks. I love going to the Metro Parks. And I had always had a goal. I got to do my fall hiking spree. But what if I could go and just notice the trees, the sounds, and the ground beneath, the ground beneath my feet and not be so focused on, I gotta get this hike in so that I get credit for the fall hiking spree. And then there's the mindful moments, sitting with a cup of matcha and focusing on nothing but the smell, the taste, the warmth of that mug.

I love it. So instead of seeing just being as doing nothing, think about it as connecting, reconnecting with the world around you and reconnecting with the moment, not escaping. And this brings us to an even bigger idea. Giving yourself permission. And let's look what that might look like. Call it radical permission. Radical permission is about fully allowing yourself to honor what you need. Whether it's rest, stillness, or just a moment to breathe, it's stepping out of the guilt or shame that often comes with slowing down or letting go of certain expectations.

For me, this has meant letting go of the pressure to always look a certain way when I'm on camera. I realize today that part of the reason I sometimes, sometimes struggle with recording isn't because I don't want to do it. It's because I feel this underlying pressure to look camera ready, to put on makeup, fix my hair, and present this polished version of myself. So let's give ourselves permission to just show up authentically.

And here's the thing. My message isn't about being perfect. It's about being real. Some days, I'll wear makeup, not very often, and I might feel great about it. Other days, I'll show up exactly as I am, makeup free and authentic. And I'm learning to give myself permission to do either without guilt or judgment. Again, no blame, no shame, no guilt. So I think many of us feel this way.

Whether it's about how we look, how we perform, or how we present ourselves to the world, there's this constant pressure to meet expectations. But here's the truth. You don't have to be perfect to make an impact. Showing up as your authentic self is more than enough. So what are some practical steps we can all take to practice this radical permission? First of all, we need to set boundaries.

We need to learn to say no to one thing and see how that feels. So I want you to try that this week. Say no to one thing this week. Reframe your inner dialogue. Replace I should be doing X with. I'm allowed to make this time for myself. And maybe write yourself a little permission slip. Like really write yourself a note saying, I give myself permission to rest without guilt today.

Giving yourself permission is a practice. It won't always feel natural or easy, but it's one of the most radical, compassionate things you can do for yourself. Today, I want to invite you to practice radical permission. Maybe it's permission to take a break, permission to feel whatever emotions are coming up for you, or permission to not have all the answers. Whatever it looks like for you, know that it's valid and that you are worthy of that space.

And how does this relate to thriving? Thriving doesn't mean having it all together every moment of every day. Thriving means knowing when to pause, when to step back, and when to simply let yourself be. It's in those moments that we reconnect with ourselves and what truly matters. If you try any of this radical permission stuff today, or decide to try to just be. If you try it, I'd love to hear about it.

Share your experience with me. What permission slip are you writing for yourself? And remember, even the smallest step toward honoring yourself is a step toward thriving. Thanks for joining me on this journey. Take care. And until next time, don't forget to breathe.