Just Because

When was the last time that you did something you wanted just because?

There was no elaborate celebration.

No logical justification.

Or an understandable explanation that others might approve of.

A gesture of love and appreciation for you, by you.

Just because.

If it’s taking you a minute to think of that time, you are not alone.

Many conversations with beloved friends and clients sound something like this.

I would love to skip that party tonight because I just want to take a bath and read my book instead…but I already said yes, so, I have to go.

I’m so curious to learn more about that organization, but I can’t just stop by and introduce myself.

I’ve been saying that I want to take a solo road trip out west for ten years.

This friendship is so frustrating and I just want to let it fade out, but we’re family, so that’s not an option.

There are all kinds of reasons we do what’s best for others or what is socially acceptable and polite.

We don’t always do what we want, and I don’t personally believe we should pursue a life where we do.

We grow when we experience disappointment, tolerance, and frustration.

We also grow when we nurture, listen to, and love ourselves.

So, how do we know when to do what we want just because?

The simple answer is that our intuition, heart, energy, or gut always knows, and we can choose to listen.

A more complex (and honest) answer is that we also seek external approval, which means that no one’s feelings are hurt, and we aren’t judged. This makes listening to and honoring our wants very challenging.

Understanding this, here’s an approach you can take this week to incorporate more of doing what you want.

Choose the meal you want to eat, the time that you are available, the show you want to watch, the conversation you want to have, or the time you want to go to bed. Choose something you really want just because.

Before your mind wants to distract itself with all the potential external judgments and opinions about what you want, be in the experience of having what you want. Don’t miss out on it. You wanted it for a reason and being present for it, helps you know and understand your reason even better.

Assess what really happened later. Tell yourself the truth. Did the world stop spinning because you skipped the party or walked through the front door of that non profit? Did everyone say those terrible things when you took that first step in planning your trip out west or when you let the friendship fizzle?

Acknowledge and celebrate the love you gave yourself, not only for doing what you wanted, but for also experiencing it fully, while those around you noticed and commented (or not). Just because.

With immense appreciation & gratitude. Always.