#permissionnote

[permissionnotes]

YOU HAVE PERMISSION TO FOLLOW THE MUSE.

Yesterday, I was taking a walk. I intended to think of ideas for this week’s The Misprints comics. Instead I felt a story idea wanting to happen, so I went with it. Sure enough, after a little time tumbling thoughts around my head, a really nice story idea showed up.

When I have a number of projects on the go, I find it works best to go with the one that feels most interesting and promising because there is an idea that wants to happen. If I force myself to think about something else, I become doubly unproductive. I squish the idea that wants to happen and I’m not in the right mindset to receive the idea that I’m trying force into my head.

—Jeff Gill · · Like, share, spread the love! Share your own note by visiting permissionnotes.com/submit or sending us a message.

[permissionnotes]

YOU HAVE PERMISSION TO DO THE WORK YOU LOVE WITHOUT GUILT

I’m not sure if it is the weirdness of the cult I was part of as a teenager or the protestant work ethic or just me but yesterday I found myself feeling guilty for doing my job. My job yesterday was to draw comics for a classroom resource. I love drawing comics more than almost anything.

Somewhere in my twisted brain is the idea that doing the thing you love is at least suspicious and probably evil.

So there I was, drawing the comics that I was supposed to be drawing and listening to good music and thoroughly enjoying myself while getting paid. And this thought pops into my mind: You should stop this and move on to something else. Something less fun. Because if you’re having fun, you’re not doing anything valuable, you’re not living up to your calling. I had this thought even though I was responsibly doing the thing I was supposed to be doing!

£@€# THAT THOUGHT RIGHT IN THE FACE WITH A BIG REALITY STICK!

You have permission to do work you love without guilt. If you’re not doing work you love, feel free to create some space in your life to do what you love.

And if you’re worried that you won’t do enough good in the world if you do what you love, the fact that you are worried should be proof enough that you are the kind of person who will use what you love for good.

I’m Jeff Gill and I love drawings comics.

Like, share, spread the love! Share your own note by visiting permissionnotes.com/submit or sending us a message. Photo: John Verhoestra

[permissionnotes]

You have permission NOT to answer your phone. For many years, I have juggled with been self employed, brought up a family of 3 boys and taxi-ing them around their various activities and had friendships to keep up with in the mix. My iphone was my best friend in helping me keep on top of appointments and arrangements and of course, my business to earn money to support my family. I have been completely available at the press of a button. Now My sons have flown the nest, I have made career changes and generally have slowed my life down into a more relaxed and comfortable pace. Last week, I had a day off and decided to go and begin my Christmas shopping. I’d realised, I hadn’t switched of for a long time and still waited for that phone to call to ask me to do someone a favour or book in a client! I was having a lovely time and my phone rang. I noticed that I immediately tensed up, wondering what I was going to be asked to do. In that moment, I made a decision that I needed this ‘me’ time and it could wait! I gave myself permission to park any other responsibilities and enjoy myself. So I did! My message to you is, Park responsibilities sometime to allow yourself some peace when you can. - Anonymous Share your permission note with us by email, message or send us a letter in a bottle 🤗

[permissionnotes]

YOU HAVE PERMISSION TO NOT HAVE A DREAM

—Maryanne

Note from Jeff: This particular permission really resonates with me. I’m not a dream and vision guy. I’m not the person who rallies the troops with grand visions of glory. I’m no good a pulling a potential future into the present and making it seem real. I just like to make stuff and try stuff and respond creatively to the world around me.

I used to think that there was something wrong with me. Eventually I realised that the universe doesn’t need everyone to be a visionary. In fact, it needs most people to NOT be visionaries so that the ongoing creation of the world can actually get done. The universe needs intelligent, switched-on followers and makers and critics and prophets, team players and a few hermits. The universe needs the best of every kind of person imaginable.

So if you don’t have a dream now, or ever, please feel free to be very happy with your dreamlessness. Please feel free to simply do the next right thing along your path.

Thanks for sharing your permission note, Maryanne!

Like, share, spread the love! Share your own note like Maryanne did by visiting permissionnotes.com/submit or sending us a message.

[permissionnotes]

You have permission to LET IT ALL OUT I once told someone how strongly I felt about them. I'd felt this way for a long time, but I was scared of letting it out. Not because I knew it'd change things, but because I knew it'd change nothing. It was something I desperately wanted to believe might work, but I knew deep down that saying it out loud would just leave me in a mess. And I did feel humiliated. But there was something refreshing about it, and I could only start getting over it once I'd let it out. Otherwise it'd still be locked up inside, and I wouldn't be able to move on. -anonymous