Episode 39

Permission Granted: It's Okay to Crave Simpler Days

Published on: 11th February, 2026

It's totally okay to long for simpler times without actually wanting to rewind the clock. We dive into this idea that missing the days before smartphones and endless notifications doesn’t mean we’re stuck; it’s more about recognizing what our souls are craving. I chat about the beauty of simplicity and how creating just for kicks used to be the norm, not some guilty pleasure. We’re all feeling the weight of complexity these days, and that longing for a chill vibe is a sign we’re paying attention to what we really need. So, I give you this permission slip: embrace that desire for simplicity and find ways to weave it into your life now.

Takeaways:

  1. It's totally fine to miss simpler times while still moving forward in life, folks.
  2. Longing for simplicity is a sign of growth, not a sign of regression, my friends.
  3. Embracing simplicity in our lives can help reclaim focus and presence amidst chaos.
  4. Recognizing our cravings for simplicity is an opportunity to create more peace in our daily routines.
Transcript
Speaker A:

Hey, this is.

Speaker A:

It's okay if bite size permission slips.

Speaker A:

I'm Maciel Hooley.

Speaker A:

And today's permission.

Speaker A:

It's okay to long for simpler times without really wanting to go back.

Speaker A:

I think a lot about simplicity.

Speaker A:

Before smartphones, before these algorithms, before every moment felt like it needed to be optimized.

Speaker A:

There was a time when creating was just for fun.

Speaker A:

When rest didn't feel like a guilty indulgence, and when life wasn't constantly pulling your attention in 5 million directions.

Speaker A:

And sometimes I miss that simplicity.

Speaker A:

Not because I want to go back, not because I'd undo everything I've learned or built, but because I long for more quiet, more focus, more presence.

Speaker A:

Missing simpler times doesn't mean you're stuck in the past.

Speaker A:

It just means that you are an evolved human.

Speaker A:

It means you're noticing what your soul is craving and what it is missing.

Speaker A:

And maybe that longing is an invitation not to go back, but to bring some of that simplicity into your now.

Speaker A:

So if today you're feeling the weight of complexity and you're longing for something simpler, that's okay.

Speaker A:

It's not a sign that you're failing.

Speaker A:

It's a sign that you're paying attention to what you need.

Speaker A:

So if you have it in you, tell yourself, I give myself permission to long for simpler times and to create simplicity where I can.

Speaker A:

Today.

Speaker A:

That's your permission slip, friend.

Speaker A:

Tuck it in your pocket 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

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Matt Gilhooly