guilt ~ the fact or state of having done wrong or committed an offence; remorse or self-reproach caused by feeling that one is responsible for a wrong or offence; sin or crime

There are things that I do.

Unintentionally or deliberately to make my life easier, happier, less monotonous, simpler, more exciting or maybe just because I want to.

Things like…

💋 snuggling on the sofa with my pets 💋 eating dessert before dinner 💋 watching back to back episodes of my favourite series 💋 buying expensive underwear that I save for special occasions 💋 walking on the grass next to the ‘Do Not Walk On The Grass’ sign  💋 only ironing when I am literally down to my last tshirt 💋 starting a new book before I’ve finished the current one 💋 buying a lipstick in exactly the same shade as one I already own 💋 being seduced by a pretty cocktail 💋 going to bed at 8pm 💋 having recipe books on my shelf that I’ve NEVER cooked from 💋 hiding the last cookie so I can eat it later 💋 making excuses to not go out 💋 only doing half a workout 💋

Inevitably, there are times after the event when I feel guilty.

Guilty.

As in, I committed a crime or offence and feel remorseful. Not quite?

Guilty.

Of putting my needs first and listening to what my body needs. Is that so awful?

Guilty.

It sounds so negative. So final. So wrong.

So why do we feel guilty?

Probably because we think of the million things we could, should or are supposed to be doing.

Maybe because we’re constantly reminded of how time is money and how every day is a gift and feel the pressure of making every minute count?

Perhaps it’s because we rarely see others self indulging in a little bit of what they fancy?

But what if every now and then we made our lives a little easier, had some fun, let ourselves off the hook, went with the flow?

As long as no one got angry, hurt or arrested.

I also doubt the earth would stop spinning.

What if we gave ourselves some TLC and smiled? What if we indulged in our passions and set our souls alight? What if you did something a little out of the ordinary and and felt envigorated? What if you did something silly and laughed like a child?

Guilt free.

What would that look like?

I wonder.