It’s hard to let go. Sometimes, you want to have the last word. Sometimes, you want closure. Sometimes, you want to be able to say you accomplished that thing or succeeded at that job, relationship, friendship, or fill-in-the-blank _______. 

In a world where we are taught that longevity means success and the opposite of that means failure, it’s easy to get caught up in trying to cling to the things that are no longer serving you in order to prove yourself and your worth. Some people spend their days fighting to remain in expired relationships with partners who do not deserve or love them. Some fight hard to prove they’re good friends and they cling to people, hoping they will someday be better to them to avoid the discomfort of a friendship breakup. And there are plenty of folks who stay at jobs that make them miserable and unhappy and are practically a risk to their mental health, all so that they won’t be called a quitter or be seen as invaluable since society has told us that our work and labor is tied to our worth. 

There must come a moment in life when you recognize that what you hold onto you is crushing your spirit and weighing you down. Your emotional well-being will always be impacted by the things you decide to give your time, energy, effort, and attention to, so what do you need to let go of in order to nourish your spirit and transition into the next phase of your journey of growth and evolving?

I am gracefully moving on from:

• always needing to have the last word

• people-pleasing and choosing self-neglect over self-nourishment

• letting fear control and dictate my actions

• choosing men who do not choose me

• the belief that I am an imposter and unqualified 

• comparison and measuring myself up to others

• the belief that I need to be doing more

• the idea that I always need to have things figured out before making decisions 

• being a rescuer and saving others 

As the year ends, it’s important for me to assess the load that I have been carrying and what I have allowed to take up space in my heart, spirit, and mind. I refuse to enter 2024 with baggage and holding onto someone else’s emotional luggage and I encourage you to do the same.

You might be holding onto:

• an ex because you didn’t receive the closure you were looking for

• a friend because you have known them since childhood

• a partner because you’re scared of feeling the sadness of a breakup and being alone

• certain beliefs about yourself and your abilities that are inadvertently holding you back from healing and growing

Whatever it is, now is the time to let go with grace and make space for what your heart deserves. Share with this community below, and let us know what you are gracefully letting go of and moving on from!