You know those nagging regrets and grudges that tug at your soul weeks, months or even years after the people, jobs or situations which once made them important ceased to be part of your life?
Yes, there was a time when you felt you had to take every opportunity to demonstrate to your ex, your former workmates or classmates how well you were doing without them but isn’t it finally time to move on and let go of the negative emotion pulling you down. That is exactly what Let It Go Day is all about; a national day when you are taking the brave step to cast away all those hang-ups from a previous chapter in your life.
This day is a great reminder (and motivation) to take a step back and evaluate anything that you may be holding on too. Sometimes we don’t realize we’ve been holding on to past wrongs, hurts, regrets, or mistakes that transform into negative thoughts or feelings about others and more importantly ourselves. Ruminating can be detrimental to your mental health, therefore, it’s important to figure out how to let it go, whatever “it” may be for you.
Let Go and Let Flow
Once you’ve recognized what you want to let go of, determine how you will do just that! The process of letting go of is going to be different for everyone. Some people like the physical act of writing down an issue and burning it. There is something about the physical act of watching it burn that resonates as a sign of closure. However, for me, I tend to ruminate so I could burn the piece of paper but that old regret or mistake would come creeping back into my consciousness. This is where “reprogramming” of the brain comes into play. Resolving to no longer let past issues rule my thoughts and feelings. When I feel myself going down that path I say to myself aloud, “Stop it”. Does it work every single time? No, but it’s helpful as I’m definitely still a work in progress.
Here are a few tips on how and where to start when letting go:
1) Acceptance – Accept people as they are and a situation as it is knowing that sometimes you may never get to know or understand the “why?”.
2) Forgiveness – Forgive others and forgive yourself. We are all human and make mistakes. No one is perfect!
3) Express yourself – Get it all out, talk it out. Once you get something off your chest it can be easier to let it go and move on!
Find the method of letting go that works best for you and WOOSAH!!
