We have all held on to something from the past for longer than would have been ideal. Maybe that ex-partner you still think about, or that old dream that no longer represents you. It’s just that it’s hard to let go of the past, because it’s not just about letting go of a person, a job, or a situation. It is, above all, accepting that we have changed.
Letting go of the past implies letting go of an old version of ourselves to make room for a new one, which represents us, which has evolved, which has been allowed to grow. And that, although it sounds beautiful, it is very scary. It’s scary to look ahead: it’s always more comfortable to stay put where you are, even if you’re having a hard time.
But the only possible path is forward, and the only thing you have an influence on is the now. So it’s time to stop asking yourself “What if…?”, and start asking yourself what you can start doing for yourself today. And for that, you have to let go of what weighs you down.
Don’t worry. It seems difficult, but in the end we give you a powerful tool to achieve it.
Letting go of the past hurts, but from that pain we are reborn
Before continuing you have to know this: letting go of the past hurts. You don’t have to believe that it is possible to do it without suffering. You are letting go of something that will no longer be in your life. Be it a person, a job, a dream, a stage… In any case, you are saying goodbye to something forever. It is a small duel.
However, the pain will eventually pass. You must go through it, and not only will it disappear, but you will come out stronger. Instead, if you stay where you are, you will end up slowly destroying yourself.
Sometimes these things work like addictions. Yes, it is easier to continue as we are than to decide to change. But if we don’t change, we will be wasting the short life we have. Isn’t it worth facing the pain to have a new and more valuable life?
5 things you can do to let go of your past
It is important that you know that there are no magic formulas here. It all depends on your will to become someone better. However, some resources can help you get started and make the decision. Here are five tips to get you there.
- 1. Determine what you need to let go of
Sometimes we do not take real dimension of what it is that keeps us clinging to the past. Maybe you think you’ve gotten over your ex, but you discover that your house is full of objects that remind you of them. Or maybe you think that one situation is the one that binds you, and then you discover that it is linked to another, which is even stronger. Determine exactly what you want to let go of to start working on it.
- 2. Recognize and stop your negative thoughts
When you make the decision to change, your head will begin to resist. Then, many negative thoughts will appear. You will have to pay close attention to when they appear and try to stop them.
- 3. Write a letter with what hurts
Sometimes the hardest thing to let go of is not being able to say everything we wanted. That feeling that we have many things to talk about is perhaps what prevents us from continuing. How about you write it down? Putting things in writing is healing and will allow you to get all that is left over from inside you.
- 4. Read the letter out loud
Imagine that the person or situation you have written to is in front of you. Read the letter out loud. At first it will cost you, maybe you want to cry or scream. Do it. Read the letter out loud as many times as necessary, let off steam. It will be liberating.
- 5. Burn the letter and say goodbye
Once that’s done, say goodbye to that situation by burning the letter. You will see that you feel much better and stronger.
Repeat the process as many times as you need.
And you, what situation are you having a hard time letting go of?
Sources:
Psycho Emotional