Letting go. What does letting go really mean?
And why is it so hard to let go even if you know it’s the right choice?
Well, letting go is an art in and of itself.
And we’re here to help you master it.
What Does Letting Go Really Mean?
Letting go implies purification and healing.
It’s something you do to alleviate pain and hardship to restore peace.
“All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on.”
– Havelock Ellis
Usually, it’s a decision you make. And, sometimes, it can be extremely challenging.
It’s like abandoning a sinking ship to save yourself from drowning.
But that doesn’t mean it’s easy to do.
On the contrary, mastering the art of letting go is a lot of trial and error.
Practice is key. It’s necessary. And the more you practice, the better you get.
So, here are our best tips to help you learn when to let go and when to hold on.
1 • It’s Not Always a Decision
Endings and beginnings – it’s what life is all about.
You can try to resist change, but it arrives all the same.
It’s normal. It’s natural. And, of course, it’s inevitable.
Sometimes, letting go happens naturally because things come and go.
Life happens. You grow up. Things change. It’s a constant state of flux.
But the problem is that most people fight, trying to resist change.
They cling to the past, fearing the future.
So, envision letting go as something that happens naturally.
Embrace it. Recognize what lies beyond your sphere of control.
2 • Sometimes, There’s Nothing You Can Do
No matter how hard you try, you can’t control everything.
And you shouldn’t. It would drain your energy and exhaust you.
You always think you could do better. But you can’t rewrite the past.
So, it’s necessary to move on. It’s essential to keep moving on.
You can only let go when you recognize what you can and can’t control.
And the only thing you control is your mind – your thoughts.
When something upsets you, it upsets you because you allow it to upset you.
You can always rewire your perspective to see things differently.
Let the past teach you, but don’t dwell on it. Don’t let it trap you.
Sometimes, you just need to let things unfold naturally.
3 • Letting Go, Also Known as Acceptance
Letting go means accepting what happened and giving yourself a break.
It’s a form of healing that declutters your mind and stabilizes your thoughts.
When you’re ‘holding on’, you’re likely overthinking things.
Maybe you’re replaying a scenario, wondering what you could have or should have said. But there’s no going back. None of this takes place in reality. It’s a powerful illusion.
You trap yourself in your mind, wanting to change things – to fix them.
But, sometimes, it’s necessary to accept things as they are.
For many, it’s the only way to move on and heal.
It happened. It’s over. Now’s the time to focus on the present.
And that brings us to another important lesson.
4 • The Ever-Elusive Present Moment
Capturing the present moment takes a lot of brainwork.
It’s one of the most challenging spiritual endeavors to undertake.
But being in the present moment can help you learn to let go.
It reduces the influence of the past and the fear of the future on your mind.
This gives you more room to make wiser, more self-beneficial decisions.
But it’s not easy. We advise meditation and mindfulness exercises.
They can stabilize your energies and help you create inner peace and harmony.
5 • It Comes With Experience
Be patient. Most life lessons, like letting go, come with experience.
It’s normal to fail and fail some more. Inevitable, in fact.
You learn lessons through the challenges you face and the hardships you endure.
But it’s important to reflect on these lessons. It’s important to absorb them.
And it’s not just about age. It doesn’t matter if you’re old or young.
Growth opportunities are predestined. They come precisely when they need to.
So, keep an open heart, mind, and soul. And allow yourself to grow.
6 • Everything Is Temporary
Ask yourself the following question. What exactly are you holding on to?
In all likelihood, it’s something from the past. Which means it doesn’t exist.
The lesson is there, that much is true. But it’s no longer a reality.
And if you’re stressing about the future, it doesn’t exist.
Most of the time, people are holding on to things beyond themselves.
Ask yourself if it’s relevant to the present. Is it useful to your future?
A little self-reflection goes a long way as you learn to let go.
And remember: everything is temporary.
Love, pain, sorrow – it will all pass. It will change into something else.
And if you’re holding on, you can’t adapt when the changes come.
7 • Let Energies Flow
Everything is energy. It’s everywhere around you. It’s within you.
Energy dictates your life in every way.
Because of this, it’s important to stay balanced.
Consider your emotions. Maybe you’re feeling angry. And that anger eventually subsides. However, you have a choice. It can subside sooner. Or you can hold on to it endlessly.
In the same way, you can hold on to happiness or sorrow. It’s your choice.
Recognize that your emotions are yours to control. Let the energies flow.
Wrapping Up
Remember, learning to let go isn’t easy and takes a lot of hard work.
Be patient. Know your goals. And persevere through practice.
Painting and writing – these are two passions that I have been perfecting for a decade.