Let Yourself Off the Hook

How many times have you made a mistake or disappointed yourself? Plenty of times, right? We’re all human, and many of us put a lot of pressure on ourselves in different departments of our lives.

What if instead of getting angry and frustrated with ourselves in these moments we chose to stop and give ourselves grace?

When you make a mistake or disappoint yourself, pause and say to yourself a phrase such as: “I am choosing to let you off of the hook, (your name).” Give yourself grace in the moment and realize that this is a little thing that really doesn't matter. Choose to not get upset, and instead breathe deeply and exhale the negativity.

Let’s take a simple trip to the grocery store for example. Have you ever gathered all of your groceries and gotten to the checkout line and realized that you didn’t bring your wallet with you? It’s happened to the best of us.

In the heat of this moment, your first initial response may be anger, frustration and embarrassment. “I am so forgetful! I always inconvenience myself like this. Now I’m never going to get dinner made in time for this evening, and I look like an idiot in front of everyone else behind me in line.”

This type of reaction is something we’re all familiar with, but it’s a type of reaction that doesn’t add any joy, happiness or grace to our life. It only harms our self-image. Instead of responding in the way above, simply take a deep breath and let yourself off the hook. “From now on, I’m going to be sure to bring my wallet with me everywhere - I’ll even put a sticky note on the door of my apartment for a reminder!” you can say to yourself. Then, you could tell the cashier that you’d like for them to hold your bagged groceries while you go home to get your wallet.

This type of situation truly is not a big deal - we just make it out to be one a lot of times.

This is a practice that may be hard in the beginning, but the more that you practice giving yourself grace and letting yourself off the hook, the more naturally it will stem from your spirit in moments of self-frustration or disappointment.

Sending you love,