Sorry I’m not sorry, and you shouldn’t be either

I once lived in a fantasy world in which what I was doing was the only right way of doing things. My workouts consisted of Crossfit  and my diet was strict paleo. Crossfit + Paleo = Optimal Living, right? For someone who had never had any sort of disordered eating nor body issues, following this type of lifestyle just led me to an unhealthy “healthy” place, becoming judgmental of others and having guilt anytime I strayed away from the strict plan.

Using the wise words of, “Do as I say, not as I did,” I think we need to let go of those guilty thoughts and just start to enjoy things more without the stresses and pressures of the narrow-minded or pietistic around us. Though I have had my own elitist mentality recently and not being able to see shades of gray, it is important to find the appropriate balance that not only works for you and your goals, but also that is sustainable.

From things I have seen recently in social media and things I have experienced myself, we all need to stop being sorry or feeling guilty, and start being comfortable and embracing the decisions that we make. Own your mistakes. Own your insecurities. Own your desires.

Don’t apologize for having insecurities about your body, even when you eat right and put in effort at the gym.

Don’t apologize for wanting to look good in a bikini.

Don’t apologize for walking around the house half-naked, often, trying to catch the best angle in the mirror when you flex. Or taking 30 pictures trying to capture said angle.

Don’t apologize for pinching your fat that no one else sees as fat.

Don’t apologize for not having a thigh gap. Or having a thigh gap. Or being genetically blessed.

Don’t apologize for having a strong deadlift but unable to a hollow rock properly. Or string more than ten wall balls.

Don’t apologize for feeling lost in your current programming or training and looking for a change.

Don’t apologize for wanting to do Crossfit. And walk. And run. And powerlift. And Olympic lift. And play hockey or soccer. And do yoga. And bike. And swim. And nap.

Don’t apologize for not being able to swim.

Don’t apologize for working out 5x a week and still looking for the closest parking spot.

Don’t apologize for having a breakdown in the middle of a workout because you put so much pressure on yourself.

Don’t apologize for being 30+ and wanting to wear short shorts outside of the gym. Or mini-dresses. Or leggings. Or yoga pants in public.

Don’t apologize for not having feelings for someone who has feelings for you.

Don’t apologize for being too selfish to give up your time for someone else.

Don’t apologize for attempting to go on a date, but the entire time you are thinking you’d rather be cuddling on the couch with someone else.

Don’t apologize for sleeping in. Or choosing puppy snuggles over anything else.

Don’t apologize for showing up at the office when it may as well have been a vacation day based on the work you did (not) do.

Don’t apologize for not being in love with your job but not having a clue of where else to go.

Don’t apologize for investing your time in a degree or a relationship that had little to no benefit on your future plans.

Don’t apologize for selfies. No, actually, apologize for those.

Don’t apologize for eating half a bag of Sour Starbust Jellybeans. Two days in a row. Twice.

Don’t apologize for eating brownies. Or tortilla chips. Or Reese’s eggs. Or turkey patties. Or Crystal Light. Or sucralose. Or a homemade cookie. Or fresh-baked cinnamon raisin toast smothered in butter.

Don’t apologize for making paleo alternatives to Reese’s eggs to impress a boy. Or banana bread. Or muffins. Or brownies. Or chicken thighs.

Don’t apologize for not wanting kids, getting married, or not knowing if you do.

Don’t apologize for hiding all of your friends on Facebook that continuously post about their kids. Or Beachbody. Or Candy Crush.

Don’t apologize for talking about Crossfit. And talking about Crossfit. And talking about Crossfit.

Don’t apologize for awkwardness around an ex.

Don’t apologize for being protective over a guy that you aren’t even dating.

Don’t apologize for secretly disliking a girl solely because she is prettier than you or can lift more than you.

Don’t apologize for setting high standards and feeling no one is, or ever will be, good enough for you.

Don’t apologize for not liking sweet potatoes. Or salmon. Or hazelnut. Or curry. Or pizza.

Don’t apologize for eating carbs in the morning.  Or skipping vegetables at night.

Don’t apologize for leaving a sink full of dishes overnight. Or a hamper full of laundry. Or a half-inch layer of dog hair on the carpet.

Don’t apologize for hitting “Mark All As Read” in your Feedly because you are overwhelmed with content.

Don’t apologize for not wanting to apologize.