You can officially cross these items off your list of things to atone for. You're welcome.
You work hard. You pay taxes. You call your mum on Sundays. So it's totally okay if you occasionally do the things on this list. Nobody's perfect.
1. Breaking up with an old friend
By this point, you probably have friends from all different stages of your life - childhood, uni, your first job. Some of them just might not fit with the person you are now. 'If you’ve grown apart from a friend, it’s okay to let them go,' says clinical psychologist Dr. Jessamy Hibberd. 'Some people are part of your life for a short time and that’s okay. It’s particularly true if the person is critical or makes you feel miserable.' Nobody has time for that!
2. Pouring another glass of red wine
Doctors have long been lauding red wine for its ability to protect against heart disease and dementia, and some scientists even say it can prevent hearing loss. Of course, the general rule here is one glass per day - but we won't tell anyone if you sneak a second.
3. Skipping your morning workout
Sometimes you can have every intention of hitting the gym before work - but when that alarm goes off you just can't be bothered. Fitness expert Laura Williams insists you shouldn't feel too bad. 'The odd skive won’t do you any harm and is unlikely to undo all your good work,' she says. 'In fact, a few days off every now and then can leave both mind and body feeling totally rejuvenated, allowing you to go full throttle when you return.'
4. Renting a flat instead of owning your own place It can be easy to feel left behind when all of your mates are buying their first homes. Paying rent each month starts to feel like throwing your cash into the bin. But Jo Gornitzki of MoneySavingExpert.com says you shouldn't rush it. 'As a nation we're obsessed with owning property, but you shouldn't feel guilty about renting. Making sure you're financially fit overall is much more important than trying to overstretch yourself just to be able to say you own some bricks and mortar.'
5. Never making any of your Pinterest recipes
Do you spend all day pinning beautiful pictures of rosemary lasagne and Nutella brownies but never actually make it into the kitchen? You're not alone. Plenty of people use Pinterest as a fun distraction and simply enjoy scoping the food porn. Plus, who knows? Maybe one day you'll feel inspired to make a crab soufflé, and you'll know exactly where to find that recipe.
6. Not trying the latest fashion trends
Just because your favourite celebrity (or your annoyingly trendy colleague) wears crop tops and dungarees, doesn't mean you should feel pressured to do the same.
Marie Claire's Fashion Features Director Victoria Moss says the key is picking the trends that work for you. 'Look for the pieces which will complement you and your existing wardrobe. It's all about that little frisson of something fun and new, which works seamlessly with the old. After all, in the words of Yves Saint Laurent, "Fashion fades but style is eternal."''
7. Cancelling plans with your friends
When you constantly say yes to birthday parties, hen dos and leaving drinks, it can start to feel like your social schedule is being decided for you. You don't want to make a habit of blowing off your mates - but if you're dreading a certain night out (and would rather binge-watch Netflix), then do yourself a favour and make up an excuse.
'If you're only going because you feel you should rather than because you want to, then you're going for the wrong reasons,' says Dr. Hibberd. 'Being on the go all the time can be exhausting and isn't sustainable. Having some time to yourself, gives you a chance to stop, reflect, relax.'
8. Ignoring your diet on the weekends
Weekends are for relaxing and having fun - and in our minds, that usually involves indulging in a lovely curry or a late-night pizza. Fitness expert Laura Williams confirms that it's okay to slack off a bit on Saturdays: 'The odd cheat meal is unlikely to sabotage all your weekday efforts. But do remember to keep cheat occasions isolated, otherwise you’ll only break even over the course of the week.'
9. Having a secret crush
Just because you're in a relationship doesn't mean you have to stop fancying other men - it's just best if those other men are on the telly and not in your real life. 'Crushing on someone who is a celebrity, and clearly unattainable, is a perfectly normal part of fantasising,' says psychologist and relationship coach Jo Hemmings. She adds that a celeb crush can actually be a way of healthy escapism. But crushing on your boyfriend's brother is a different story.
10. Saying no to your boss every now and then We're certainly not suggesting you tell your manager to shove it, but there are times when it's okay - and even necessary - to push back. Dr. Lois Frankel, author of Nice Girls Don't Get the Corner Office, says voicing a dissenting opinion can actually be a good thing: 'I've had numerous executives tell me if their team members don't disagree with them sometimes then they're not adding value. The boss can't always be right.'
11. Untagging pictures of yourself on Facebook
We've all logged into Facebook to scope a newly tagged photo, only to discover we have a giant arm or a weird smile in a snap where everyone else looks lovely. It may seem a bit vain, but it's totally okay to click 'remove tag.'
Chances are no one will notice - and you'll feel much more confident knowing there are no embarrassing shots in your photo history. (This goes double for pics where you've had one too many cocktails. Trust us, you'll be happy you did.)
