Episode 30

Wondering If You’re Doing Life Wrong? It's Okay If You Question Your Path

Published on: 26th November, 2025

That quiet voice that whispers, “Am I behind? Did I mess this up?” It shows up for more of us than we think, especially when life doesn’t follow the expected timeline or look the way we imagined.

This short reflection is a reminder that there’s no single way to do life. No perfect pace. No universal checklist. You’re not too late, and you’re not failing — you’re just finding your way.

If you’ve ever questioned your progress, this is your permission to let go of the pressure and trust your own timing.

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Transcript

00:06

Hey, this is It's Okay If, bite-sized permission slips. I'm Matt Gilhooly and today's permission, it's okay if you wonder if you're doing life wrong. I don't know about you, but there have been more days than I'd like to admit where I've sat with that quiet little voice, the one that whispers, are you behind? Did you miss a step? Why does it look so much easier for everyone else? I remember feeling this really deeply when I went back to school in my 40s.

00:36

starting over, learning something new. Surrounded by people who seemed to have it all figured out. That voice was loud. You're too old for this. You should be further along. You're doing life wrong. But here's the thing. I kept learning. I keep learning. There's no one right way to do life. No master checklist, no perfect timeline. We're all figuring it out in real time. And anyone who looks like they've got it all together,

01:05

Chances are they've asked themselves the same question too. So if you're sitting with that voice today, wondering if you've taken a wrong turn, if you're late, if you're failing, let me remind you, you're not doing life wrong. You're just doing life your way, at your pace. So if you're up for it, tell yourself, give myself permission to release the idea of doing life wrong. My path is my own. That's your permission slip, friend. Tuck it in your pocket.

01:34

and I'll see you next time.

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About the Podcast

It’s Okay If… Permission Slips for Mental Health, Self-Acceptance, and Growth
Bite-Sized Permission Slips for Real Life
What if you didn’t need to have it all figured out?

It’s Okay If… is your weekly permission slip to be human.

I created this short-form podcast as part of my own healing process — a way to slow down, process grief, and reconnect with what I was feeling.

Each bite-sized episode (just 3 minutes or less) offers a short, honest reflection to challenge perfectionism, embrace your real self, and remind you that you're not alone.

Hosted by Matt Gilhooly, creator of The Life Shift Podcast, this show delivers midday nudges of self-acceptance, insight, and calm – whether you're walking the dog, stuck in traffic, or just need a breath.

No fluff. No fixing. Just a moment of truth.

New episodes every Wednesday at noon. Follow wherever you get your podcasts.

About your host

Profile picture for Matt Gilhooly

Matt Gilhooly