Permission Slips as Experiments
(Summary) Healing from DID or complex trauma isn’t always about pushing harder — sometimes it begins with permission. Permission to rest, to say no, or to step back from productivity without guilt. What many people miss is that permission slips don’t have to be permanent; they can be experiments you try for a day, an hour, or even a moment. This post explores how flexible, low-stakes permissions can soften old trauma rules, help parts feel safer, and open the door to healing one small step at a time.
Living with DID or the effects of complex trauma often means pushing yourself harder than feels sustainable. But what if healing didn’t require more pressure — what if it started with permission? In this post, we’ll explore how using “permission slips” as experiments can support recovery, reduce shame, and help parts of your system feel safer trying new ways of being.
What if healing isn’t about pushing harder, but about giving yourself permission?
Permission to rest. Permission to say no. Permission to not always be productive.
But here’s the part many people miss: permissions don’t have to be permanent. They’re not lifelong contracts. Each permission slip is an experiment.
Think of it this way: at the start of the day, you can ask yourself, “What do I need permission for today?”
Maybe it’s permission to take a break without guilt. Or permission to speak up in a meeting. Or permission to leave a conversation that feels unsafe. Tomorrow, the answer might be different. By evening, it might be different again.
That’s the beauty of it: permission slips are flexible. They’re tools, not threats. You can try one, see how it feels, and if it doesn’t work for you, set it aside. Nothing is lost.
And here’s why that matters: inside, some parts may still believe it isn’t safe to rest, or to say no, or to take up space. If you present permissions as experiments—“Let’s try this just for today”—it lowers the stakes. It makes change feel possible.
Healing often starts here. Not with a massive leap, but with small, daily permissions—one experiment at a time.
Because sometimes the missing step between survival and healing is simply saying: “Today, I give myself permission.”
What is a “permission slip” in trauma recovery?
A permission slip is a simple reminder that you’re allowed to try something new — like resting, saying no, or asking for help. It’s not a lifelong decision, just a gentle experiment for today.
How are permission slips different from excuses?
Excuses usually come from shame or avoidance. Permission slips are intentional: they lower the stakes so parts of your system can try new behaviors without pressure. They’re about growth, not avoidance.
What if giving myself permission feels unsafe?
That’s normal. Many survivors learned rules like “I must always keep going” or “I can’t say no.” Presenting permission as a one-day experiment can help parts feel safer, since it’s not permanent.
Can permission slips help with perfectionism or burnout?
Yes. By framing change as a temporary trial, permission slips interrupt the cycle of “all-or-nothing” thinking. They create space to rest, recover, and explore balance without guilt.
Do permission slips really support healing?
They can. Over time, daily permissions build self-trust, reduce shame, and make new coping strategies feel possible. Healing often begins with these small shifts.