Letting Go
Last updated: Feb 24, 2023
What does letting go mean?
Letting go can be a difficult concept to grasp, especially when it comes to our relationships or things that have been part of our lives for a long time.
Letting go is an act of accepting the present and letting go of expectations from the past or future. To move forward in life, letting go is a necessary step we need to take.
To let go means releasing control over things that are out of your power, such as how other people think and feel about you. Forgiving someone who has wronged you can be tough, but doing so will free up space in your heart for more positive emotions like joy and love.
Being able to accept change—whether big or small—can also be considered as part of the process of letting go. Allowing yourself to let go opens up room for growth and potential opportunities that may not have been available otherwise.
How do I start letting go?
Letting go of something can be a difficult thing to do. Whether it is an unhealthy relationship, a bad habit or simply clinging to the past, sometimes we need help in order to move on. To start letting go, begin by identifying what it is you are clinging to and why you are holding onto it. Once you have identified the issue, take some time to reflect on how this issue has had a negative impact on your life and how moving forward might benefit you.
Do not to rush the process of letting go; instead focus on replacing old habits with healthier ones. Reach out for support from friends, family or professionals if needed, as having someone else provide guidance and reassurance can be invaluable during this process.
Why is letting go so hard?
Letting go can feel impossible, especially when the thing we are trying to let go of carries strong emotional associations. It is hard to “let go” of feelings that have been with us for a long time.
However, holding on to uncomfortable emotions can cause physical and mental distress.
We may be afraid that if we let go, we will never experience the same kind of feeling again.
But, letting go can also be a sign of strength and maturity.
Letting go takes time, patience, and self-compassion, to be able to truly let go and move on from challenging experiences
Why do I struggle to let go?
Letting go is often an emotionally charged process, and many of us find ourselves stuck in a cycle of trying to figure out why we struggle with letting go.
The reasons why you struggle to let go could be that you're afraid of being alone or feeling like you're losing something important.
You might also be struggling with trusting that change will bring about positive outcomes for your life.
Or perhaps you are faced with the challenge of accepting something that has happened in the past and figuring out how to move forward without holding on to the pain or resentment associated with it.
For those who feel particularly overwhelmed by the thought of letting go, seeking professional help can provide insight into why you’re finding it so hard.
A therapist can help identify underlying issues and help you build coping skills necessary for resolving them.
You may start practicing self-care through activities such as meditation, yoga, journaling, mindful breathing exercises and spending time outdoors. Stress reduction from these activities can help to create feelings of calmness, which may make it easier to prepare for letting go.
