Friday Exhale
Permission
As you close the door on the week, give yourself permission to rest, restore, and rejoice…this is our Friday Exhale.
This week, I slowed down.
And slowing down doesn’t mean closing off.
It can mean choosing peace over noise.
Choosing calm over chaos.
Choosing yourself over others.
At first, I tried to push through—
telling myself, I have to do this,
because if I don’t, others will feel disappointed.
When I heard those words in my head,
I became aware of my body,
my judgment,
and the quiet pressure I place on myself.
Words are charged.
With energy.
With meaning.
With emotion.
So I chose permission
over disappointment.
I gave myself permission…
to be okay with not doing,
okay with the what-ifs,
okay with the pause.
I gave myself permission to be true to myself.
To rest.
To restore.
To process.
I gave myself permission
to be the best friend I deserve in this moment.
I listened to my wisdom
and heard my body…
sometimes whispering,
sometimes shouting.
Mostly,
I listened.
As you close the door on a week that was,
you have permission to settle into a space
to rest, restore, and rejoice.
This is our Friday Exhale.
If you’d like to sit with more reflections like this, you’ll find them in This Is My Exhale: Nature as Sanctuary.
This week’s exhale: “Peace” – Michele McLaughlin. Anything by Michele causes my body to instantly relax.
Author’s Note
If this story touched something inside you, I’d be honored to hear your reflections.
Whether you’ve lived through chaos, rebuilt your voice, or carried wounds no one else could see, your story matters. Sharing reminds us that we are not alone in the slow, powerful work of becoming.
If this piece resonated, I’d be grateful for a like, a comment, or a share.
And if you’d like to walk this healing journey with me, I invite you to subscribe.
With gratitude,
Chellie 🩷
Chellie Grossman is a Certified Life Coach, Keynote Speaker, and Writer who empowers leaders to reclaim their voice, embrace their strength, and lead with authenticity and purpose.
A lovely read for my Friday, as usual thank you. Allowing myself to rest is definitely a struggle. Also, your posts are the reason I started adding music to mine!