Lifestyle

14 Things We Should Stop Feeling Guilty About

by Gigi Engle

Is it me, or does it seem that everything we do or say these days comes with a dose of guilt?

We get anxiety for partying and for not partying; for buying lunch and for spending too much on groceries.

But life’s too short to feel guilty about your choices. You don't look down on other people for their decisions, so why should you judge yourself?

Next time you're feeling anxious about what you have or haven't done, take a step back and remember you don't have to apologize for being YOU.

Here are 14 things we all should stop feeling guilty about.

1. Staying in instead of going out.

You shouldn't feel pressured to go out drinking with your squad. LEAVE FOMO BEHIND. If you'd rather stay in and binge-watch your favorite Netflix series, then that is your prerogative.

2. Putting yourself first.

It's okay to admit that you have needs and to cater to them. You obviously don’t want to be selfish, but you should always remember there's nothing wrong with taking care of yourself.

3. Choosing to drink or not to drink.

Whether you decide to have a few cocktails or opt for seltzer, you shouldn't feel pressure either way. You're awesome, and that's that.

4. Binging on ice cream.

If you're craving ice cream, then go ahead and have it. If you're feeling a little wild, have an extra scoop. You should never feel like you have to apologize for your love of something as delicious as cookies and cream or caramel delight.

5. The gym.

You shouldn't feel guilty about skipping the gym. Sometimes you just need a break, and that's perfectly fine. The gym will still be there tomorrow.

6. Using a dating app.

You're busy, and it can be hard to find the time to meet new people. But that's the beauty of dating apps: They let you meet potential love interests on your schedule. Why feel guilty about something that puts YOU in control of your dating destiny? Swipe right and have fun.

7. Smudging your lipstick on your glass.

Who says you can't rock red lipstick and drink champagne from a fancy flute? You do you. You rock that bright lip color and don't be shy about it.

8. Not washing your hair.

It's just common knowledge that no one likes washing his or her hair. So, if you want to take a day or two off from cleansing your tresses, then just throw your hair into some braided up-do thing and call it a day. You'll look great either way.

9. Letting your bra show.

Don't apologize for wearing the white shirt with the black bra. You're an empowered woman; you don't have to say sorry for showing your undergarments. You're a boss babe, and you know it.

10. Not knowing what the future holds.

Life is an ever-changing journey of self-discovery. No matter how old you are, there will be times when you look at everything you've accomplished and wonder, is it enough? You're not alone. Everyone feels this way. It's never too late to reinvent yourself.

11. Robo dialing that guy you like.

Don't feel awkward simply because you gave in and called that guy or girl a second (or third) time. You only live once, after all. The other person should know who you are right away, so throw caution to the wind and call your heart out! We're beyond the point of wasting our time. Be yourself.

12. Taking a cab instead of the train.

Public transportation is great: It's a cost-efficient way to get where you need to go. But whether you're out late and exhausted or just want to get home without any interruptions, there's nothing wrong with taking a cab or requesting a car from your phone. You work hard, and you deserve to treat yourself.

13. Buying coffee every morning.

Sure, in a perfect world you might brew your own coffee every morning. But workdays can be stressful, and you're not always going to have the time to do it yourself. Coffee shops exist for this reason, so you shouldn't feel guilty when you buy your morning cup of Joe at your neighborhood store. It'll save you precious time, and, let's not forget, you can always put your French press to good use on the weekends.

14. Checking your email.

No one likes going out with a friend who can't look up from her phone. But quickly and occasionally checking your work email isn't a big deal. Whether you're in the midst of a big project or waiting on a response from an important client, sometimes you've got to be tied into your workplace after normal business hours. After all, there's a reason you keep getting promoted: You're not afraid to put in extra effort when the time comes.

There are a lot of things to feel guilty about in life, but thinkThin® isn't one of them. With 20g of protein and 0g of sugar, each thinkThin® nutrition bar is guilt free. Unless, of course, you steal one.