10 Things You Should Never Feel Guilty About

Life is too short to worry about what others think. Here are 10 things you should never feel guilty about:

1. Taking Time for Yourself

There are so many new places in town that you need to visit with your best friends. But don’t feel guilty if one evening you don’t want to go anywhere. If you don’t spend time on yourself, you won’t have the patience, positive outlook, and confidence needed to build good relationships with others. True friends will always understand if you tell them you want to spend an evening in a moisturizing face mask and pajamas.

2. Saying ‘No’

You’re not a genie or a goldfish, so you don’t have to grant other people’s wishes. It’s hard to say no, but it takes practice. Remember this simple rule: if you learn to say ‘no,’ it will make your ‘yes’ more reliable and steadfast.

3. Holding the Door ‘Wrong’

Society has many strange protocols about how to hold the door for others. It’s a simple act of courtesy, but often things don’t go as planned. You hold the door for someone, and they get stuck or distracted, leading to an awkward situation. Don’t stress too much about it; your intentions were good, and the awkward moment doesn’t mean you should stop being polite.

4. Telling the Truth

Being honest doesn’t mean being a harsh critic. Tell people the truth, but don’t forget to mention the positive aspects of the situation. Criticism is meant to correct flaws, not to turn friends into enemies.

5. Eating Unhealthy Food

Who doesn’t love forbidden treats? But if you’ve decided to change your diet, don’t feel guilty about it. Studies show that feeling guilty after breaking a diet can lead to a chain of other ‘bad’ behaviors.

6. Not Responding on Social Media

Do you want to turn off all notifications or log into social media with an account that no one knows about? Just do it. Studies from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center have found a link between frequent use of social media and the development of depression, so it’s recommended to take breaks from the internet, especially if you’re feeling tired.

7. Having Moral Standards

Society may be cynical, but warmth, care, and respect are still the best ways to interact. You tend to move towards noble goals rather than greed—no matter what others say, don’t compromise your standards. Plus, people who adhere to strict principles usually don’t have problems with self-esteem because they know what they live for.

8. Planning Your Dream Wedding While Single

Just because you’re single doesn’t mean you can’t create a mood board on Pinterest and fill it with rings, cakes, and photo session ideas. It doesn’t hurt anyone, so there’s nothing to feel guilty about. What if you forget later that you wanted to place figurative candles around the hall?

9. Having Sexual Fantasies

Everyone has fantasies. Some are stranger than others, but they all have a right to exist. According to researchers, it’s absolutely normal to fantasize about sex with a stranger without consent or with someone much older! Most women say they wouldn’t want to bring their unusual sexual fantasies to life.

10. Asking Questions

When you don’t understand a topic, you might feel inadequate or uneducated. You start asking questions, and guilt is added for bothering someone with your persistence. But remember: questions are a key component of learning that helps prevent mistakes, confusion, and misunderstandings.

For further reading, check out this article on the characteristics of people who don’t seek approval from others.