It’s okay…

(I mean: it’s all okay. But these things are especially okay.)

…if you haven’t finished the book club pick by the time book club happens. We’ve all been there.

…to stay inside on a sunny day. Sometimes you just feel like staying in. I promise, there’ll be more sunny days.

…if you have a WhatsApp group dedicated to slagging off influencers. (I like to focus specifically on their wild uses of the words “curate” and “aesthetic” and I know it’s petty but a mispronunciation of a designer name simply MAKES my day.)

…to eat something delicious because you’re sad, or cold, or tired, or just because you feel like eating that delicious thing. Hunger is not the only valid reason to eat.

…to rewatch a shite film you’ve seen 500 times instead of watching a classic you’ve somehow never seen. Mine is He’s Just Not That Into You (and I’ve never seen The Godfather, ET or The Usual Suspects).

…to buy yourself flowers. Or perfume. Or a box of chocolates. Any time, any day, any reason.

(and, related…)

…to spend your money. Sure, saving makes sense, and having a pension would probably be a good idea, but there is no moral imperative to do either of those things. It’s YOUR money, and you can’t bring it with you when you’re done.

…to buy new books when you have approximately 200 unread books at home.

…if you only floss once a week. Or once a month. Or never. This is not something worth feeling guilty about.

…to put off until tomorrow what could be done today.

…if you don’t know what half of your kitchen utensils are for.

…to take painkillers if you have a headache. You don’t have to drink a glass of water and wait to see if it just goes away, I promise.

(also related…)

…to take antidepressants, or anti-anxiety medication, or anti-psychotic drugs because your brain is slightly off-kilter. It’s even okay to take them without any plans to STOP taking them. (We were not put on this planet to suffer, trust me.)

…to love your dog / child / childhood teddy more than you love your partner.

…if you have a very short list of people you’ll willingly speak to on the phone. (My top tip is just to make sure you have someone in your life who’ll make all the other important calls for you.)

Tell me what random, inconsequential thing has been making you feel guilty lately and I’ll tell you exactly why you shouldn’t feel bad about it. We’re all navigating this messy dumpster fire of a world together xo