Why We Imprison Ourselves?

Human is the only animal I know who voluntarily imprisons itself.

- I would like to do thing A, but I can't.
- Why?
- It's not allowed.
- By whom?
- I don't know. It just isn't allowed.

No, if it isn't forbidden or impossible, it is allowed. Stop imprisoning yourself! (And even if it's impossible, it's still allowed. You just haven't found a way to do it.)

It's good that we get this practice in form of games when we are kids. Do not step on lines, for example. Practice to follow rules. Kids need clear rules to practice morals but more importantly the fence protects both ways. When playing within rules, it feels safer. But we get so hooked on those rules that we invent limitations to ourselves even when neither the society nor any authority forbids them. I see the same thing over and over and over again.

For example, if I have a day off. I choose to go to a bar at noon and drink few beers, get tipsy, take a nap and wake up in the evening*. That's bad? Why? Because it's not the time you should drink? Says who? But this is already an extreme example. People will make such weird rules for themselves and tighten the rope around their own necks constantly.

Of course, eating chocolate before dinner is a bad idea as it may ruin your appetite. But when you are an adult it's more of a guideline than a rule. If you want that chocolate bar, of course you are allowed to eat it. Of course. But beware of the consequences.

Of course in your painting you can paint the sun blue. Of course. It just doesn't look real but hey, there's no rules what color you have to use. Dagnabbit.

Yes, you are allowed to eat the chocolate ice-cream first, then the strawberry and leave the vanilla altogether. Yes, you are allowed to open the Oreos and lick the center first. Yes, you are allowed to put fruits in your stew and whipped cream on your soup. (They actually both work very well. Fruits in food and whipped cream on top of soup.)

If you are an adult, you are allowed to go to sleep directly after work, wake up at 1 o'clock in the night and go to work at 9. There's nothing much to do outside your house between 1AM and 9AM, but hey, who makes the rules of your life? Is it forbidden to have that kind of day rhythm?

Enough ranting. You got the point.

* One of my favourite examples. For everything. Pub. Ah...