The Art of Letting Go

Our past experiences are valuable for helping us learn what not to do in the future. Throughout the years, we learn to navigate struggles and challenges to grow into strong, independent individuals. What happens, though, to those who cannot let go of the past? Who fall by the wayside and submerge themselves in a mire so thick they sacrifice happiness and health?

You guessed it. Depression, sadness, and interminable anguish.

The art of letting go is more than just forgiving and forgetting. You should never forget, but you should acknowledge the trials to avoid getting hurt again. The art of letting go is about reflecting on the situation, pulling from it the lessons we are meant to learn, and then moving on with more confidence and happiness.

Here are Ways to Master the Art of Letting Go:

1. Take an occasional risk
   Ever hear the saying that life begins beyond your comfort zone? It’s true. You are never going to learn to let go if you continue to repeat the same processes every single day. By doing so, you are perpetuating “the art of holding onto things that are comfortable” and dulling your intuition. Now, I’m not saying leap out of a plane or swim with sharks if that does not suit you. “Risk” can be as small as trying new food or going on a blind date.

2. Live for what you need—not what others need
   Other people think they know what you need, but they don’t. You are the only source in this entire universe that knows exactly what is best for you. Never allow other people to push you into doing something that feels wrong or goes against your gut feeling. If this continues, you need to let go of that toxic relationship. In the end, this unneeded pressure will have a poisonous effect on your health by sapping you vitality and gusto.

And remember, it’s okay to say no.

1. Pick yourself back up
   Every superhero fan will know the famous Alfred quote: “Why do we fall? So we can learn to pick ourselves back up.”

Failure is frightening and can have a monolithic impact on our mental health, self-esteem, and perspective—only if you let it. There are two ways to look at failure. The first is as I just described. The second way is to see what went wrong, understand the why, and to construct a new means of evading that mishap the next time around. Not many get things right the first try or even the twelfth try.

The important thing is letting go of the fear and staying confident in yourself.

1. Trust
   Of course, you can’t pick yourself back up completely if you do not trust yourself. Think of failure as the ultimate trust fall. Who is going to catch you? Everyone wants to hold onto the reins for dear life, but sometimes you have to let go and hit the ground. Life is not going to step all over you. You will survive if you just go with it. Trust that you will find a way to get through the circumstances, and you will. It is that simple.

2. Emote
   Look, as manly or as poised as you are trying to be…you sometimes have to cry. Let it just happen naturally. Don’t force it or hold it back. Your soul knows when you need to grieve, even if it seems like the most inopportune of moments, like reaching for a gallon of milk at the supermarket. Do not fight your emotions; and remember to focus on you, not everyone else.

The art of letting go is about giving yourself the room to breathe and release negative emotions. Beyond that release, it is about understanding how failure gives you the tools to grow. When you let it out, you will feel as if an enormous burden has been released. However you choose to let go is up to you, but have fun and be you.

© 2017. ANDREW MORRISSEY. All Rights Reserved.

www.andrewmorrissey.com