We’ve all heard the benefits of letting go of someone or something that isn’t right for us anymore, so why is it so hard to do it? Whether it’s a loved one, a lost relationship, an unhealthy relationship, or circumstances out of your control, letting go of what was or what could be can be one of the most difficult things to do. The process of letting go can be an excruciating and drawn out experience that often takes several tries before we feel competent in walking away from something or someone. Some people choose never to let go because the imaginable pain is too much to bear. Whatever your choice, here are a few ways to make letting go a little more manageable.
- Feel your feelings: Letting go is much like grieving a loss of someone or something. If we suppress, ignore, or deny our feelings we often extend this grieving process. Sometimes you may feel sad, angry, scared, or upset during this process; that is okay. Find a trusted friend or professional to walk alongside you during this process.
- Reflect on areas of that relationship that were not working and choose to learn from it.
- Start a journal as a way to process what you can take from that relationship or even write a letter to the person, even if you never will give it to them, in order to process your own emotions.
- Practice positive self-talk, by reminding yourself who you are, what you can control, and choose to focus on those elements.
- Practice self-care: this is the time to direct your love to yourself by taking care of your emotional, social, and physical well-being.
Letting go is a process so be patient with the journey you are on. Like anything in life, the hardest and best things we can do for ourselves take time to see the positive outcome. You are stronger than you think!
