11 Sep Nine Wellness Tips for Letting Go

I turned 37 on Sunday.  The week of my birthday, I spent three days in Seattle – a quick trip, and a potent one. I went to help my mom purge and pack up her apartment in preparation to move, but I also had intentions set for my own healing.

Seattle is where I grew up. When I left in 2014, it was a darker time in my life where I was searching for the light. I knew I had to get out of there in order to shift my path in the direction I wanted to go. So now, every time I go back, I’m healing my relationship with that place – and all of the memories and feelings that arise when I’m there. It’s amazing how the body remembers.

I had a session with my therapist yesterday and she helped me realize just how much I was letting go that week while helping my mom let go (literally) of things she didn’t need anymore. I went through old photo albums from high school, memorabilia from when I was an NFL cheerleader for the Seattle Seahawks, and paperwork from my college days at the University of Washington. A flood of memories came up so quickly – what was cool was how I felt through it all. That time in my life was full of internal struggle, though it didn’t look that way on the outside. Looking back through it all I felt grounded. At peace. Acceptance. I saved a few things and tossed most of it in the dumpster, which felt so damn good. I have done so much work to shift my behaviors, mindset, and environment over the past ten years, and I could feel it. There’s nothing sweeter than enjoying the fruits of our labor.

Each time I return to Seattle, I feel more grateful for the life I’ve built in Texas and more excited for all that’s to come. I hope this serves as a reminder to you that it’s okay to let go of the past. It’s okay to start over. And that it takes work. It takes showing up daily. Learning how to feel your feelings and not run away from them. It takes courage and commitment – to yourself – to know when something is not working, and to change it.

Letting go is a widely used phrase these days. It’s a loaded one – just “let go” – like it’s easy. It’s not easy. It’s fucking hard. But there are a lot of ways to do it. Below are some that have worked well for me.

Nine Wellness Tips for Letting Go

1. Practice Meditation. Meditation helps you stay present and non-judgmentally observe your thoughts and emotions. It can teach you to acknowledge them without clinging to them.
2. Journaling. Writing down your thoughts and feelings can be a cathartic way to release them. It also allows you to reflect on what you need to let go of.
3. Acceptance. Accept that some things are beyond your control. Understand that it’s okay not to have to control everything in life.
4. Identify What You’re Holding On To. Before you can let go, you need to identify what you’re holding on to. It could be a grudge, an expectation, a relationship, or a past mistake.
5. Forgiveness. Forgive yourself and others. Holding onto grudges or guilt can be incredibly toxic. Forgiveness is a powerful tool for letting go.
6. Practice Self-Compassion. Treat yourself with kindness and understanding. Remember that you’re human, and it’s okay to make mistakes and feel a range of emotions.
7. Set Boundaries. Sometimes letting go means setting healthy boundaries with people or situations that are causing you harm or stress.
8. Physical Activity. Regular exercise can help release built-up tension and stress, making it easier to let go of negative emotions.
9. Seek Support. Talk to a friend, family member, therapist, or coach. Sometimes, discussing your feelings with someone you trust can provide clarity and emotional release.

I would not be where I am today without the support of family, friends, mentors, coaches, and my therapist. As a certified life coach, I’d love to support you in this season of life. Book some time into my calendar, I offer a free consultation and I’d love to connect with you.