Have you ever found yourself saying, “I can’t because I need to be somewhere else.” or “I like them because of this, this and this reason.”

Well, that is called giving justification.

Why do we justify things we say or do or feel 👇🏼

Here are some of the reasons

• Social acceptance and approval from others
• Avoiding criticism and rejection
• Reducing cognitive dissonance caused by conflicting beliefs or actions
• Defending our self-image and preserving a positive self-concept
• Seeking validation and reassurance
• Demonstrating rationality and logical thinking
• Clarifying intentions and motivations
• Building trust and credibility with others
• Promoting our ideas or opinions
• Establishing a sense of fairness or justice in our actions.

But the truth is that we don’t need to justify ourselves all the time. Why? Well, here are some reasons:

1. Personal autonomy and individual rights.
2. Respecting boundaries and maintaining privacy.
3. Having self-confidence and trusting your judgment.
4. Saving time and conserving emotional energy.
5. Acknowledging diverse perspectives and opinions.
6. Practicing assertiveness in communication.

Here is a list of 6 things you definitely don’t need to justify:

1. Who you love or why you love them.
2. Changing your career or direction of life.
3. The way you spend your time.
4. What you choose to prioritise.
5. When or how often you take breaks.
6. Ending a toxic friendship or relationship.

More things that don’t need justification:

1. Personal preferences and tastes.
2. Your choice of hobbies and interests.
3. Decisions about your appearance or clothing style.
4. Setting boundaries in relationships.
5. Saying “no” to requests or invitations.
6. Your level of productivity during leisure time.
7. How you choose to spend your free time.
8. Your beliefs and values (unless they harm others).
9. Choosing not to engage in an argument or debate.
10. Your emotions and feelings.
11. Prioritising self-care and mental health.
12. Decisions related to family planning or having children.
13. Having different political or religious views (unless promoting harm).
14. Defending yourself against unfair criticism or judgment.

Alright, so that is all from me today, what are somethings you don’t think you need to justify?