How to Let Go and Find Inner Freedom
You may be holding onto more emotional baggage than you’d like to admit. You can’t always see it, but you can feel it weighing inside. Holding onto things that no longer serve you–such as past hurts, expectations and material possessions–can keep you from inviting new, aligned elements into your life.
Letting go is often the first step to creating real change and living a more fulfilling life. Whether you want to leave a toxic work environment, launch your own business or simply make more room for your most authentic self, here are some ways to release your grip on old attachments.
Recognize the Need to Let Go
Acknowledge the areas in your life where you feel stuck or burdened. Be gentle and honest with yourself as you reflect on emotions, thoughts and behaviors that are holding you back. Understanding that holding on is causing more harm than good is an essential motivator in initiating the release process.
Cultivate Mindfulness
Practice being fully present to observe your thoughts and emotions without judgment. This will help you develop a deeper awareness of attachments that keep you playing small. Make mindfulness practices a part of your daily routine, whether meditation, deep breathing or taking time in nature without technology. This step teaches you that you can detach from thoughts and emotions that hold you back.
Learn to Forgive
The weight of resentment, anger and judgment is real, and these difficult emotions end up harming you more than anyone else in the long run. By forgiving yourself and others, you release emotional baggage. It doesn’t mean condoning actions or forgetting what happened; it just means you’re committed to healing by removing the burdensome feelings and making space for new beginnings.
Practice Detachment
Detachment is not the same as indifference. It’s about freeing you of dependence on what’s outside of your control. Practice detaching from outcomes and expectations; know you can only control your actions and responses. When you stop trying to control external circumstances, you welcome spontaneity, growth and peace.
Nurture Self-Compassion
It often feels easier to hold onto what’s not working because letting go can be emotionally intense. You’ll have to face yourself and some long-standing habits, heal through some challenges and accept the unknown. Make self-compassion part of your daily repertoire–acknowledge your emotions, accept your imperfections and offer yourself loving kindness. Treat yourself with patience, understanding and forgiveness as you would a friend. It’s OK to take things one step at a time. Knowing that you want something better for yourself is a big start.
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