Live Well Be Well with Sarah Ann Macklin | Health, Lifestyle, Nutrition The Freedom You Find When You Stop Trying to Control Everything | Oliver Burkeman | Be Well Moments
Nov 24, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Oliver Burkeman, an insightful author and journalist specializing in mindfulness and psychology, explores the freedom found in letting go of control. He shares how the pursuit of certainty can be a trap, urging listeners to embrace uncertainty instead. Oliver highlights practical techniques for regaining perspective, such as taking brief physical breaks and practicing mindfulness. He emphasizes the power of small 'permission slips' to alleviate guilt and encourages a shift towards living more fully in the present.
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Improve As Expression Of Aliveness
- Wanting to improve is an expression of aliveness, not a problem in itself.
- Seeking improvement to reach a perfect standard where you can finally relax undermines being alive.
Certainty Is A Lost Cause
- The struggle for certainty about the future is hopeless and trying to secure it causes suffering.
- Accepting that you can't know outcomes gives you permission to stop grasping for control.
Permission Slips For Real-Life Imperfection
- Sarah describes writing herself 'permission slips' to allow behaviors she felt restricted from doing as a child.
- Oliver echoes this idea, giving himself permission to remain imperfect and unfold consciousness gradually.
