I’ve been grappling with many challenges lately: job fulfilment, life after the death of my spouse, health issues, and navigating single parenting. Over time, resentment has crept in - uncompromising employers; too much to do, too little time; and the list goes on. I held onto these feelings, and they became debilitating and soul-destroying.

Recently, I’ve been actively working on letting go of what doesn’t serve me. It’s a powerful and transformative practice that involves releasing the people, habits, beliefs, and situations that no longer contribute to my growth, happiness, or well-being. Here are my thoughts on why and how embracing this mindset is so important:

Clarity and Freedom

Letting go helps me create mental and emotional space, allowing me to focus on what truly matters. It’s like decluttering my life - I remove the unnecessary to make room for the meaningful. This process has brought me a sense of lightness and freedom that I hadn’t felt in a long time.

Growth and Evolution

I’ve come to realise that life is about growth, and growth often requires shedding old layers. What served me in the past no longer serves me now … and that’s okay. I’m also learning that letting go is a sign of my progress, not failure. By releasing what no longer aligns with my values or goals, I’m opening myself to new opportunities and experiences that better suit who I’m becoming.

Self-Respect and Boundaries

Letting go is an act of self-respect. It’s about honouring my worth and refusing to settle for less than I deserve - whether it’s in work, relationships, or personal habits. It also involves setting healthy boundaries. Sometimes, letting go means saying no to toxic bosses, people or situations that drain my energy.

Emotional Liberation

Holding onto resentment, regret, or fear has kept me stuck in the past. By letting go I’m able to live in the present and move forward with more hope and optimism. Forgiveness - of myself as well as others - is a key part of this process. It doesn’t mean I condone what happened, but rather it frees me from the emotional grip the feeling had.

How I’m letting go

The first part of my journey has been to acknowledge what no longer serves me - reflecting on what’s holding me back or causing me pain. It isn’t easy and means I have to be brutally honest with myself.

Once I’ve identified what needs to go - whether it’s a habit, a relationship, or a mindset - I consciously decide to release it with intention. This might involve a symbolic act, like writing it down, as I’m doing now.

As I release my feelings I also actively seek to fill the space left behind with positive habits, relationships, or goals. Letting go can be hard, and I remind myself that it’s okay to grieve what I’m releasing. I keep reminding myself to be kind to myself throughout the process.

Trusting the process

Letting go requires trust - in myself and the process. It’s about having faith that what’s meant for me will find its way to me and that releasing what no longer serves me is a step toward something better.

Ultimately, letting go has been an act of self-love and empowerment. It’s about choosing to prioritise my well-being and growth, even when it’s difficult. In so doing, I am actively creating space for joy, peace, and new possibilities to enter my life.

* What are your thoughts on letting go? I'd love to discuss this with you.