Letting Go of the World's Rules

Let Go

For years, I thought happiness was earned by following the rules—the ones whispered by culture, success, and my own relentless inner critic.

Work harder.

Do more.

Never slow down.

Don’t ask for help.

Be perfect.

But here’s the problem: those rules never actually lead to happiness. They lead to exhaustion. I've been there and it is not fun.

Vishen Lakhiani, founder of MindValley, calls these Brules. Bullshit Rules.

One of my biggest faults was thinking if I asked for help, I would look weak. I felt like I constantly had to prove I was good enough. Worthy enough. It sucked!

I remember planning my life around “shoulds.” I should say yes to that extra project. I should keep pushing, even when my body begged me to rest. I should handle everything on my own. The world clapped for me, but inside, I felt empty.

One day, I finally asked myself a question that changed everything: Whose rules am I living by?

The truth was, they weren’t mine. And if they weren’t mine, I didn’t have to keep them.

Coaching tip: This week, notice where you’re living by someone else’s rules. Replace one “should” you think you should do, with something you genuinely want. That tiny act of rebellion could be the doorway to your happiness.