How To Let It Go

By Lev Novak

We all have baggage.

Some of that are things that we end up carrying, but more are the things we actively pack up with us. Ambition and plans are obviously good things, but carrying the burden of those hopes and expectations come with their own weights.

Sometimes you need to let it go.

Not everything, of course, and not all the time- but you should, and you should do it more than you are. And that’s because even when something is a burden, that burden feels statistically important. We feel that weight of a breakup, for example. But sometimes it’s time to…

1. Make A Dramatic Break

Yes, it’s annoying when someone says “this is the year” or gets very loud about their resolutions or a new start, but sometimes it’s what you need. If you don’t make a separation in time or a real effort to change, you’re going to keep reverting to the norm.

So make a dramatic break.

You know how in movies you’ll see the guy dramatically flush his whiskey in the toilet or throw out whatever things reminded her of her ex? Do that, but with whatever your problem is. No more smoking! Pick up silent yoga! Road trip!

Do something bold and see what happens.

2. Pick Something Up

The best way to let something go is to have your hands full with something else.

You’ll be too busy to stress! No time to pine or worry! You’ll be doing something else, like…I don’t know. That’s up to you. Fill your time with volunteering? Work? Writing, music, art? Friends and adventures?

When you’re busy with good stuff, you won’t have time to dwell or mourn excessively. Get busy and let go.

3. Give Yourself Permission

Give yourself permission to let go.

It can be easy to feel that your worry or grief is natural- and it is- but that doesn’t make it holy. You don’t have to let it control you, or preserve it inside you like a candle. You are allowed to shelve it and live, okay? Okay. If you can’t give yourself permission, then at least know that I do.

Go eat a good sandwich. Have a beer and smile. You can let go and not abandon the issue. You can have it both ways, you know.

4. Accept That It Might Not Be So Easy

Mark Twain once said it was easy to quit smoking; it was so easy he quit dozens and dozens of times.

It might take you more than one try to let go of your issues. They might come back, either in reality, or mentally, or more likely, some combination of the two. That’s okay, but repeat the above steps as much as you need. Cycles and circles can be maddening when life isn’t as easy as it should be, but, well, that’s life.

It might not be easy to let go. But keep letting go until you get better at it. Practice makes perfect, after all.

Share this article: