Your Next Chapter: You Don’t Need Permission to Begin

For the longest time, I put my thing on hold.

The blog I wanted to start. The service I wanted to offer. The platform I dreamed of building.

I kept telling myself, "Lemme get that certification first..." or "I probably need a few more years of experience..." or "Once someone more official than me says I’m good enough, then I’ll go."

But honestly? The more I waited on something or someone to validate me, the more distance I created between myself and what I actually wanted to do.

It’s like I thought confidence had to come with credentials. Like success had to be signed off on before I could claim it.

There was a time I kept waiting for someone to tell me I was ready.

That I could go for it. That I was qualified, smart enough, stable enough, ‘whatever’ enough.

I thought there’d be this big moment—someone pulling me aside saying, “Okay now. You can start.” That once I had that moment, everything would click. Like, now I’m legit. Now I can actually do the thing.

But here’s what I’ve learned (and sometimes had to relearn): no one’s coming with a magic stamp of readiness. No email. No announcement. No grand green light.

You just decide.

That’s it.

And I get it—on paper, it sounds easy. But whew, it’s layered. Especially for those of us raised with the quiet (and sometimes loud) message: don’t rock the boat.

Black women. First-gens. Immigrants.

We’re taught to be excellent—but only if we don’t disrupt. To be prepared—but not too bold. To wait for permission—because stepping out on your own might make folks uncomfortable.

So we wait. For the co-sign. The timing. The proof.

But here’s the truth: you don’t need it.

You don’t need permission to rewrite the plan. To pivot. To walk away from what’s not aligned. To build something new, even if it scares you.

You can say yes to yourself and go.

You might still feel unsure. You might still want someone to co-sign. But honestly? Your clarity is enough. Your conviction is enough. Your desire to grow is enough.

You don’t need the title to lead. You don’t need the timing to be perfect. You don’t need the crowd to cheer you on.

You just need to trust that little nudge inside that’s been whispering, it’s time.

So if you’ve been waiting… this is your sign. Actually, scratch that—you are your sign.

Your next chapter doesn’t need permission. Just you.

‘Cause wah fi yuh, cyaan un fi yuh.

~Meisha