When You Need To Give Yourself Permission To Be Happy | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

When You Need To Give Yourself Permission To Be Happy

The first step in transitioning away from a stressful situation is to openly admit that you deserve to be happy.

212
When You Need To Give Yourself Permission To Be Happy
pixabay.com

In nearly everyone's life, there comes a point where we feel dissatisfied with our current situation, are feeling at our wit's end and honestly have a hard time being genuinely happy. When you deal with depression, and you've been battling it relentlessly for years, it can be impossible to give yourself the "permission" that you need to allow yourself to be happy.

As a person who has dealt with depression for the better part of her life, and has seen a lot of stigma surrounded what it means to live with it and what it looks like to others, it can be near impossible to fully allow yourself to be comfortable in who you are and be happy with what that means. What many people don't realize is that living with depression doesn't mean that someone will be constantly crying or outwardly expressing their feelings. Oftentimes a person can go through life appearing "normal", and enjoying themselves, but still have difficulty with saying to themselves that it's healthy and okay to be genuinely happy.

Now there are times where it can be impossible to feel like you'll ever be happy again, whether because you're in a difficult situation or because you might have guilt over allowing yourself to be comfortable with yourself.

The first step with transitioning away from a stressful situation, whether it was long term or short term, is to openly admit to yourself that you deserve to be happy. Whether you have a whole argument prepared on why you deserve to be happy or you honestly don't know how to justify your happiness, just start by giving yourself permission. Don't worry about what others will say for a while if you're afraid of backlash.

While it's very honorable and great to care about others and their happiness and mental health, yours is just as important. Not taking care of yourself does affect your relationships with those in your life and being able to practice self-care is extremely important. With whatever situation you're going through in life, whether it's short term stressers or a major life change that has set you back for a while, don't resign yourself to feeling discontent or unsatisfied permanently.

It can get better, yes, but it won't begin to happen until you physically give yourself- and only you can- give yourself the permission to truly be happy.


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
students
Sophia Palmerine

Dear High School Friend Group,

My sweet angels, where would I be without you guys. We all grew up together because we either met in middle school or high school and watched each other grow up and get "old." We got to go to prom together and then graduate together. Then watched each other as we continued our lives in college, joining sororities and meeting people who will impact our lives forever. It all has happened so fast.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

College In Gifs

Because we are all sad Jim Halpert

816
head on desk
Wise GEEK

Oh college, we can’t live with you, but we can’t live without you. It’s a love/hate relationship, really. College is an experience that no one can ever prepare you for, and maybe that’s a good thing. You never really expect any of the things that college encompasses until you are there. College is fun, but don’t have too much fun. C’s get degrees, but they don’t get you into graduate school.

Keep Reading...Show less
Blair Waldorf

The "Gossip Girl" series may be over, but Blair Waldorf's iconic character lives in our hearts forever. Blair was the queen of the Upper East Side, and a character you either loved or hated. She taught us everything we needed to know about life, love and of course, how to score a Chuck Bass. So the next time you feel a bit lost and are in need of guidance, look no further than to the Queen B herself.

As I spend my Sunday avoiding my homework and other adult responsibilities, I realized that I've watched this series over and over about a million times. Sadly, there isn't a Blair quote I don't know, so I came up with a list of a few favorites. You know you love her...xoxo

Keep Reading...Show less
class
Odyssey

College is an endless cycle of crappy, sleepless nights, tedious, boring lectures, and hours of never-ending piles of homework.

Keep Reading...Show less
two women enjoying confetti

Summer: a time (usually) free from school work and a time to relax with your friends and family. Maybe you go on a vacation or maybe you work all summer, but the time off really does help. When you're in college you become super close with so many people it's hard to think that you won't see many of them for three months. But, then you get that text saying, "Hey, clear your schedule next weekend, I'm coming up" and you begin to flip out. Here are the emotions you go through as your best friend makes her trip to your house.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments