Happy New Year!!! It’s 2020, a new year, a new decade, a new you! #newyearnewyou. It is a great time to make changes. Instead of the cliché of making a New Year’s Resolution, how about you do something that you can maintain and that will help you achieve whatever it is that you are seeking? I have decided to work on letting things go that no longer serve me: old beliefs, relationships, and unhelpful habits.
I often get asked how one let’s something go… I think this varies from person to person. I am listening to an audio book on letting go, I play guided meditations on releasing things, and say affirmations to help keep me grounded in what is real. I also participate in my own treatment to help me heal and let shit go.
I remember a guided meditation that suggested to assign balloons to things you want to let go and envision letting the balloons go. I’ve also suggested to imagine holding onto whatever it is that you want to let go and imagine releasing and making a release motion with your hand. I think what really needs to happen, is addressing whatever it is that is bothering you. Acknowledge the pain, disturbance, anger, or sadness related to the event. Sometimes identifying what is hurting is helpful in healing. Accepting the injury does not always produce a change, a different outcome, or healing. Discussing your concerns may be helpful. Talking to a friend or a confidant could also help in letting things go. Sometimes we need connection and validation about our feelings, even though that doesn’t change the situation. Connection produces oxytocin, which are the happy hormones that make you feel good and could change how you approach your situation. Of course, I would recommend therapy. I am biased, I think everyone could benefit from counseling… I am a therapist.
Your coping skills could help you let go of things or at the very least, shift your feelings; cardio, painting, yoga, dancing, spending time with friends or family, cooking, laughing, and daydreaming to name a few.
I think it comes down to a decision. You have to decide if you want to let things go and make the commitment to yourself to let go, in however you decide. Besides, what purpose does it serve you to hang on to things that are hindering you from moving forward?