The Disney Hug rule…

You know what I'm not proud of? My TikTok addiction…

But every now and then, it feeds me a nugget of information that (almost) makes it worth the amount of braincells I can feel it hoovering from my mind. 

Like the Disney Hug Rule.

Per the DHR, characters at Disney are told to never let go of a hug FIRST.

Meaning, you hold tight to that little baby until they are ready to let go. 

So you have all these videos of kids hugging their favorite characters for as long as they need to - and the characters are just lovingly and patiently hugging them back until the kid is ready to let go.

According to TikTok lore, Disney created the rule because “you never know how much a kid might need that hug.” (oof clutches heart).

Two things really stand out to me that I think we can apply to our own, adult lives:

The first is there is NO RUSH. Just pure permission to be held as long as you need to be. 

The second is that there is a natural ending. I imagine there could be some fear that this kid will never let go. But that doesn't happen. They stay for as long as they need and then they are naturally ready to move on to the next thing. 

Some questions for you: 

What are you trying to rush right now in your life? What would happen if you gave it space and time?

Are you afraid of slowing down? My guess is there is something very important waiting for you, when you do. Something you need to feel. Some truth you need to know. 

What part of you is reaching out now as you read this - needing permission to be held until it is ready to let go on its own?

Because I cannot have your TikTok addiction on my hands, I won't send you a link to videos there ;) But here's a link to a short youtube that shows the DHR in action. 

Happy Monday! 

Love, 

Jessica