“To let go does not mean to get rid of. To let go means to let be. When we let be with compassion, things come and go on their own.” –Jack Kornfield
Letting go is the time when you stop holding or gripping (something or someone). Some people are hard to let go of something that's been a part of their lives. It's hard to let go of some sentimental things which took a big part of who you are today. However, if in life there's something that keeps hurting you or causing you pain, why not let go of it?
It's easy said than done, yeah, that's right however, how can you move forward if you still cling to that pain. You have to let go of what is hurting you, even if it feels almost impossible. Letting go means finding out who you are. It means allowing yourself to fall in love again. and see life differently. If you want to live a happier and more peaceful life you must let go of your baggage. The baggage that keeps making your life difficult, causing you hardships and a more complicated life.
Baggage to Let Go Of
Each one of us has baggage of our own. It's best to let go of this baggage if we want to move forward and focus on our present situation. Unlock your suitcase, and lift the lid, the only way to move forward is to leave the past where it happened, unpack, and let go of what’s inside of your baggage.
Your Past Mistakes
Each one of us commits a mistake, no one is perfect. Those mistakes, big or small took a part of who we are today. If you keep on holding on to those mistakes in the past and keep blaming yourself for it, your life will be miserable. You don't want to live a. miserable life, aren't you? Let go of your past mistakes, analyze why it happened, think on the brighter side of things. You may not notice it, but mistakes are essential for us to grow. Mistakes make us human. Admit your mistakes, let them go, and learn from them.
Holding on to Past
Most people are unable to quit the past and go on. From failures, disappointments, and some past relationships, and the problem is that most people don’t know how to let go of it. They are too attached to the past, even if it was not a happy past. Too much holding on to the past will only cost you suffering and miserable life. Just like what happened to my friend, where she was in a toxic relationship from the past. She keeps thinking about it and afraid to let go of her feelings for the man who caused her too much pain. She cries every night, and her pillow was the witness.
“It's okay to cry, but you need to move on. Believe me, you'll laugh at yourself about this one day.”
And now, she freed herself from that dark past. And lives her life and carries the lessons her past gave her.
If you don’t let go, you remain tied and not free. On the other hand, letting go, detaching yourself from the causes of suffering, brings relief, ease, joy, and love.
Overly Self Critical
Self-criticism is normal, it's just part of us being human. However, you should eliminate harmful criticism towards yourself. Being overly self-critical can sometimes cause you suffering most especially in your mental health. Overly criticizing yourself can dramatically affect your self-confidence and cause you to think poorly of yourself and others around you. Sometimes comparisons, putting down oneself, self-blame, are done by overly self-critical persons which are not healthy and helpful. Let go of this, it's not bad to evaluate yourself, ask if you've done enough or did you did your best, but evaluating yourself harshly is a different topic.
Stress and Worry
Okay, every one of us has experienced or experiencing stress and worries in our day to day life. It can be from work, family problems, unpaid bills, sick relatives, etc. It's inevitable, however, you can do something to not let it overpower you. If you let these eat you up, it can affect your physical and emotional health and your capacity and capabilities in your daily living. Manage your stress and make fewer worries, if possible, let it go all at once. When worrying becomes excessive, it can lead to anxiety, panic, and even cause illness. If you want to live a more productive, peaceful, and happier life let go of the stress and worries that caused you struggles in life.
Anger and Grudges
Who hasn't been hurt by the actions or words of another? Your parents who always scold you since. you're still a kid, a relative who spread rumors and gossips about you, your co-workers who talk behind your back, or having an unfaithful partner that caused you deeper sorrows. The wounds it can leave could be long lasting feelings of anger and bitterness, you may even think of vengeance. However, you can't live a peaceful life if you keep holding on to these. Let yourself practice forgiveness, let go of resentment and thoughts of revenge. The act that hurt or offended you might always be with you, but forgiveness can lessen its grip on you and help free you from the control of the person who harmed you. Forgiving someone who hurt you doesn't mean that you forget or give excuses for what someone has done against you. Forgive them even they're not sorry, or. don't deserve it. You deserve peace in life, and that's what forgiveness and letting go of anger and grudges can provide you.
Toxic Relationships and Toxic People
Let go of a relationship that you believe toxic for you. Any relationship that isn’t healthy, a relationship from a spouse, a partner, a friend, or from relatives.
“Any relationship [between people who] don’t support each other, where there’s conflict and one seeks to undermine the other, where there’s competition, where there are disrespect and a lack of cohesiveness.”
That's how Dr. Lillian Glass, a California-based communication and psychology expert defines a toxic relationship. It can drain your self-esteem and your energy, and isolate you from your loved ones. However, leaving any relationship is difficult. Leaving a bad one isn’t necessarily any easier. I saw many people still hold on even there are obvious signs of the toxic relationship that they're involved. And how they live their lives? So miserable. They might not know it or saw it right away, but they're living their lives. Pain, suffering, and tears are always present. Holding on to the person who you hope he can be or because of how things were in the beginning or because of the belief that you just don't want to give up. It's okay to give him another chance of change, however, if nothing happens, think twice once again. It takes a strong person to let go of a relationship. If you know you're with a toxic relationship, or toxic people get rid of it. You deserve something more, there's something or someone that can give you happiness instead of the pain you're suffering from.
Guilt and Fear
Do you have any shame for past mistakes and failures? Do you have fear of committing a mistake again? Guilt is like holding a grudge against yourself. This guiltiness and fear may affect your capabilities and how you look at life, emotionally. Let go of this fear and guilty feeling and forgive yourself, take the lessons with you, and endeavor to make better choices moving forward. Though it is said easier than done, you still can do it. If you're eager for a change in your life. Be fearless and guilt-free, have the courage to face what the future brings. If you overcome it, you'll see a different you, a much stronger you who's courageous and braver than before, ready to face life's challenges.
To let go means withdrawing to the present moment. It means surrendering yourself to your current circumstances. When you surrender you release all attachment to memories of failure and mistakes, to people who are holding you back, and to unhelpful emotions and feelings that often weaken your growth. Live a more peaceful, joyful, and stress-free life, unpack and let go of that baggage. Baggage that keeps giving you hardships and resentment.
@eommaZel ✍🏻🥀
