Letting go is not easy. Whether you need to let go of a loss, a past mistake, anger, bitterness, or some other emotion – letting things go is not simple.
But if we hold onto things like guilt and regret, we don’t open the door to the happiness and love that could replace it. So today, let’s talk a little bit about the power of letting it go.
What does letting it go mean?
If you’ve ever practiced meditation or mindfulness, you’ve probably heard the term “let it go” used often. But what does letting it go really mean?
To put things simply, letting things go is the process of moving forward and leaving the past in the past.
It’s the process of accepting things for the way they are now, in the present moment, as opposed to how they used to be or how you thought they would turn out.
It’s the process of forgiving and moving forward, not letting history affect your future.
More often than not, letting go is a term that is related to emotionally charged events or circumstances.
We often hold onto things that are emotionally charged (a divorce, the loss of a loved one, a mistake we made, anger towards someone who hurt us, etc.).
But when we hold on to emotionally charged circumstances, we often miss out on all of the beauty that is right in front of us.
And besides that, you can`t change the past. You can only change the way you feel about it.
Why is it important to let go?
When we hold onto non-positive emotions, we are only bringing ourselves down. Non-positive emotions can take over our thoughts and can cause unnecessary anxiety and stress.
It’s only once we chose to let go of the things that haunt us in our past that we can move forward to a healthier, happier future.
However, it’s important to know that letting it go doesn’t necessarily mean forgetting about something.
On the contrary, you can still have memories associated with what you need to let go of.
But it means that when you think about these things, you no longer associate them with negativity. Instead, you accept them and use them to create a better future for yourself.
One of the best ways to do this is to ask yourself, “if I let go of what I’m holding onto, what doors could it open for my future?”
How do you let go and move on?
Sometimes letting go of the past is not easy. But if you want to move forward and create a healthier future for yourself, it’s time to open those doors. Here are some tips to help you let go:
1. Change your thoughts.
Change your thoughts, change your life. This is a mantra that I live by, and it can be used in the process of letting things go.
Stop thinking, “why did this happen to me?” and start thinking, “what lessons did I take from this?” or “what amazing opportunities did this create for my future?”
Once you change your thoughts, everything in your life will follow.
2. Address the hurt.
If we want to be able to let things go, we need to stop holding things in. Feeling our hurt, anger, or other emotions is a necessary part of healing and moving on.
So let yourself feel what you are feeling. Then, understand why you are feeling that way and what you need to heal, and then do it.
3. Practice mindfulness.
Mindfulness is the idea of forgetting about the past, not worrying about the future, and living in the here and now.
When we practice mindfulness, we are focused on enjoying the things and moments that are right in front of us, and the past and future stop controlling our lives.
Mindfulness is a technique that can take time to learn but that can change your entire life. So take some time to be more mindful – you will start to see life in a totally different light!
4. Surround yourself with people who fill your bucket.
Negativity promotes negativity. So if you are surrounding yourself with people who hold negative views, you’re going to feel the same.
So cut negativity in your life and surround yourself with people that give you feel-good feelings. Then, allow them to support you.
You don’t have to go through life alone, and surrounding yourself with people who build you up will remind you of all the good things you have to be thankful for.
5. Ask for help.
If all else fails, remember that it’s okay to seek out help. Letting go of the past isn’t always easy and depending on how deep the scars, healing can be a process.
So don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. There are many professionals out there trained in healing and who can provide you with helpful techniques to help you move forward.
Plus, talking out your feelings with an unbiased party can be healing in itself.
Looking for more on the process of letting it go? Check out these audiobooks:
- Letting go: The Pathway of Surrender by David R. Hawkins.
- Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis.
Read more:
How to forgive yourself for living a better, happier life.
Respecting yourself will boost your Happiness.