1. When you’ve realized you want to change directions. You don’t have to continue doing what you’ve been doing, simply because you’ve already started walking down a certain path. You’re allowed to change your mind. You’re growing and changing. If you want something different today than you wanted yesterday, there’s nothing wrong with you. You can change your course at any point in time. You can do whatever makes you feel the most comfortable.

2. When you realize you’ve been making yourself miserable. It’s never going to be easy to accomplish your goals. Every career is going to have speedbumps. Every relationship is going to have arguments. However, if you’re starting to realize the stress you’ve been putting yourself through isn’t worth it, then you’re allowed to give up. You’re not a quitter. You’re not a failure. You’re simply someone wise enough to decide they need a change.

3. When you realize this wasn’t what you wanted at all. Maybe you’ve been trying to make the wrong relationship work or trying to reach the top of a career ladder that you never wanted to climb. Maybe you did what was expected of you. Maybe you allowed your family and friends to guide your decisions, or maybe you allowed society to tell you where to go. Either way, if you’re realizing that what you want is completely different than what you’ve been telling yourself you should want, then you’re allowed to start anew.

4. You’ve been wanting to give up for a while — but feel like you aren’t allowed. You don’t have to fight for a relationship or career or friendship that has only been bringing you down. You don’t have to stick with someone or something, simply because that’s the way it’s always been. History doesn’t have to repeat itself. It doesn’t have to continue. You can do things differently. You can say goodbye to people you’ve known your whole life and places you’ve lived your whole life. You can completely rewrite your story. There’s no rule saying you’re not allowed.

5. When you’re spending every single day in tears. If you’re always breaking down into sobs after seeing your partner or after coming home from work, something needs to change. You shouldn’t be this miserable every single day. You shouldn’t feel this down about yourself and your life. You need to put yourself first for a change and reevaluate your priorities. You don’t want to be this upset forever. You don’t want to get into the habit of repeating a routine you cannot stand.

6. When your gut is telling you it’s the right thing to do. Your brain might be warning you there will be consequences if you make a change. Your heart might be warning you people will judge you if you make a change. However, if you feel like this is the best move for you, if you’re convinced it will bring you joy, then listen to your gut. Do what you have to do. It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. It matters whether you’re happy.