Excerpt from huffingtonpost.com
We’ve all had to let go of
things at some point or another. Whether it be a pet, friend,
boyfriend, or simply graduating high school. We are constantly ending
chapters in order to start new chapters.
Though age and experience
can make it a little easier to let go and move forward, completely
letting go and allowing ourselves to heal and look to the future with
optimism and excitement can be difficult to achieve. Our tendency can be
to focus on “what used to be” and idealistically hold on to the past as
if it had everything we ever wanted.
The problem with this,
however, is that it ultimately causes more suffering. It doesn’t
encourage growth and it doesn’t help us move forward. We have to learn
how to find a balance between grieving as we need to and focusing on
where we are now and what we want to have that we couldn’t before. Here
are four ways to help you master the art of letting go:
#1 — Pay tribute. We can do this in a number of different ways depending on your own personal preference.
You
can write down your thoughts and feelings about this in a journal. If
you are trying to let go of a person (either with a breakup or the
person’s passing), you can write them a letter sharing all the things
that you valued about the relationship and then you can either send it
or keep it for yourself. If the person or pet has passed, you could
create a little ritual out of it by leaving the letter in a place that
reminds you of that person.
If you’re not much into writing, you
could also create a photo album or scrapbook to help yourself continue
to cherish those memories. This can be a nice way to “organize our
pieces of the past” into one activity.
#2 — Cry when you need to.
Know that it’s okay to grieve. If a thought or memory comes up when
you’re grocery shopping then let it out. If it happens in the shower,
then let it out. Don’t try to hold it in or force yourself to cry cause
you think you should. Just let it happen naturally.
Your body and
soul knows when it needs to grieve… trust that it will come up when
it needs to. And allow it to come out when you feel it come up rather
than whether it is “socially appropriate.”
Focus on what you need rather
than whether it will “make other people uncomfortable.” Take care of
yourself — be your own emotionally nurturing mother in this way.
#3 — Focus on what you need — not what others think “you need.” Don’t
push yourself to go bowling just because someone told you you need to.
Don’t listen to what other people “think you need” but rather listen to
what you KNOW you need.
If you feel that you just need a night to
watch movies by yourself or with a close friend then do that. If you
feel up for going out and being in a large group then do that. But don’t
do it just because someone else told you you should. Do it because you
really feel that you need it right now rather than because others told
you to.
That being said, if you feel that others are pushing you
to do something or if they are making you feel like a “victim” more than
giving you the support you need, then kindly tell them to back off.
Remember that it’s okay to say something like, “I know you’re trying to help because you care about me, but I really need _________ right now instead.”
#4 — Focus on what you are gaining.
When one door closes another door opens. Whether it be the end of a
relationship, job, or the unfortunate passing of someone close to you,
there is always another door that opens. Focus on the opportunities that you have.
Ask
yourself: What can I know create for myself in my relationships or
career? Where can I move? What can I do that I haven’t done before?
Focus on the possibilities. Dream big. Start to write yourself a bucket
list or vision board and begin to make plans to make that a reality.
Ultimately, remember that tomorrow is another day. Life is a journey and even
though one day may be very difficult for you, know that with each new
day brings the opportunity for a completely new experience. Start each new day fresh and looking forward to all the new opportunities.
Remember:
If it is the end of a relationship or the passing of someone close to
you, chances are there will always be a small part of you deep within
your soul that will always grieve because you miss them. This is okay! The trick here is to not focus so heavily on it that it drags you down.
Give
yourself space to cry when it comes up but after you let it all out
then go back to focus on the present and creating the life of your
dreams. After you let it out, do something that you love to do — dance,
play music, go for a run, do crafts, write… simply, enjoy life!
What
do you need today to help yourself “let go” of something you’ve lost or
something that has ended? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Jennifer is a self and relationship coach and the founder of JenniferTwardowski.com.
She helps women worldwide create fulfilling relationships with both
themselves and others so they can live happy and joyful lives. Click here for her Free Self and Relationship Healing Meditation and weekly blog updates. To learn about how you can work with her, click here.
Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
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www.twitter.com/jenilyn8705
Source Article from http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AscensionEarth2012/~3/yMrKbtZs4AI/5-ways-to-master-art-of-letting-go.html
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