Remember those crumpled little slips of paper in school that let you skip gym, go on a field trip, or leave class early? Yeah. We’re bringing them back — but this time, it’s for grown-ass women who are tired of apologizing for needing a break.
Welcome to The Permission Slip Project.
Why Permission Slips Matter
Here’s the truth: women are told to keep giving, keep smiling, keep saying yes — until we’re exhausted, resentful, and running on fumes. But sometimes the most radical act of self-care isn’t a face mask or a bubble bath. It’s saying no.
A permission slip is your reminder that you don’t need anyone else’s approval to protect your energy. You get to write your own damn rules.
Write Yourself a Permission Slip
Grab a scrap of paper. Open your Notes app. Write this down:
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I give myself permission to say no to sht that drains me.*
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I give myself permission to cancel plans without guilt.
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I give myself permission to rest, even if the laundry isn’t done.
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I give myself permission to take up space without apologizing.
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I give myself permission to stop pretending everything’s fine when it’s not.
Stick it on your mirror. Toss it in your purse. Screenshot it and make it your lock screen. Whatever keeps it close when you need it most.
Your Ritual + Your Slip
Rituals make permission stick. Pair your slip with a moment that reinforces it:
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Light a candle, drop a steamer, and breathe while you remind yourself you’re allowed to rest.
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Write your permission slip before you hop in the shower then wash the guilt down the drain.
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Say it out loud while you’re lathering up lotion. Let it sink in like your skin drinks the scent.
Because sometimes we need more than words, we need the ritual that makes them real.
The Collective Energy
We’re making this a movement, not just a blog. We want to see your slips. Share them on Instagram, TikTok, or wherever you hang out online with the hashtag #ExplicitPermission.
Your words might be the reminder another woman desperately needs. And every time you claim your permission, you give someone else permission to do the same.
The Fine Print (Spoiler: There Isn’t Any)
Unlike school, there’s no principal to sign off on your slip. No authority figure to stamp it. The only approval you need is your own.
So go ahead. Write it. Claim it. Live it.
Your First Slip from Us
We’ll start you off:
“I give myself permission to rest without guilt, to speak my truth without apology, and to take care of myself like it fcking matters — because it does.”
Now it’s your turn. What do you need to give yourself permission for today?