As human beings, we love familiarity. Change? Oh, what’s that?! I mean, to change something in our lives means we’d have to face our feelings. And that…well, is something most people don’t want to do. Plain and simple because it’s uncomfortable. But where does that leave them ultimately? Right – stuck. In a job they hate, a relationship that no longer serves them, and friends who are just like them. Unless they learn how to let go of what no longer helps, things won’t change. So, in this post, I’ll give you some tips on how to let go of what no longer serves you and create space for the new finally.
How to Let Go of What No Longer Serves You
1. Reflect & Be Honest With Yourself
To change anything in your life, you must first reflect on what needs to change. That’s why it’s crucial to get brutally honest with yourself. I suggest taking some time to sit quietly with yourself because it helps calm all the noise. Usually, deep down, we already know what we need to let go of, and all we have to do is face it.
However, it’s still beneficial to reflect on how you’ve been feeling lately and what’s weighing you down. For me, when I know it’s time for a change in a specific area, it feels like I’m imprisoned in my own body. Like, I just want to break free.
Maybe it’s the same for you, so try to notice when that feeling occurs and identify what might need to change.
2. Identify Why You Can’t Let Go
I know from my own experience and from talking to friends that even when you know you need to let go, something often holds you back from taking that step. So again, be honest with yourself.
Once you’ve identified what it is you need to remove from your life (job, relationship, friendships, etc.), ask yourself why you don’t want to let go. Is it because you believe there’s nothing better out there? Do you think you’re not worthy of anything better? Are you afraid of being alone? Or maybe you just don’t want to feel uncomfortable?
Once you’ve written down the answers, you’ll know your limiting beliefs, and you’ll be able to work on changing them. For me, what helps the most is to simply face the fear and do the thing. Because, honestly, things usually don’t turn out as badly as we think they will.
3. Know How You Want to Feel and Experience Life
The next step is knowing how you want to experience life and who you want to experience it with. How do you want to feel? How do you want your day-to-day life to look? What job do you have? What kind of people do you want to be surrounded by?
Write it all down like you’re describing your dream life. It’s not about pressuring yourself here; it’s just for you to get a good comparison to your current life. To see what you need to change and let go of, so you can actually go after your dream life, whatever that looks like to you.
4. Stop Dwelling on the Past
This can actually be one of the reasons you fear letting go—because you’re still living in the past, hoping for life to be how it used to be. Maybe you’re wishing your friends hadn’t changed the way they have, and so you’re hoping they’ll revert to their previous versions, just as an example.
Maybe it’s your partner who has changed so much you hardly recognize them anymore, but hope is still there that things might change again for the better. Maybe they will, but more often than not, they won’t. Especially if it’s been this way for quite some time, and a lot of conversations have already happened.
The saying “the past has passed” is right—you have to accept that things have changed. Things aren’t how they used to be. Always try to live in the present moment and see things for what they are. The only thing that truly matters is how it is right now, not five years ago.
5. Just Do It Once & Then Do It Again
I’m a huge fan of just jumping—pushing through the fear and just doing it. It’s the only way it’ll be easier for you to do it again when needed. Once you know for sure it’s time to let go, whatever it may be, make the cut. That could look like applying for new jobs or having a conversation with friends to end the friendship. Just as examples.
It might hurt at first, but I promise it will get better pretty fast. Because when that thing or person that’s been weighing you down is finally “removed” from your life, you’ll start to feel peace creeping in—and it’s the best feeling.
6. Have Some Faith & Believe in Yourself
Maybe you’ve noticed it throughout your life that whenever something leaves, it’s often replaced with something even better than you imagined. Holding onto that belief can make all the difference. It’s hard to let go at first, but you can do it—and once you do, you’ll quickly see how things work out for the better. Trust and believe in yourself; you’re capable and strong enough to overcome this chapter of your life.
Believing that what’s meant to be will be can also bring a lot of peace. It’s like you’re allowed to let go, keep moving forward, and not look back, because you know whatever is meant for you will be yours regardless.
Personally, it’s helped me a lot in worrying less and doing more of the things that are good for me and bring me forward. Also, if you reflect on different periods of your life, you’ll likely find that everything has always fallen into place. So, try not to worry too much, you’ll be fine.
7. Establish Boundaries
I find this is the one step you need to take that will not only help you let go of what’s not serving you right now, but it’s also crucial for moving forward. Establishing boundaries helps you identify people or things that aren’t good for you in the first place.
The most important part about setting boundaries is actually sticking to them. If someone repeatedly disrespects your boundaries even after you’ve communicated them, then you need to respect yourself enough to let them go.
Overall, boundaries will save you soooo much time and energy, lead to a happier life, and help you develop a stronger sense of self-respect.
The End
I hope this post helped you let go of that fear of letting go of what no longer serves you. Really, all it takes is repetition. Do it once and then do it again. Not for the sake of it, but because the things and people and situations in your life actually dont serve you. Be honest with yourself and most importantly, trust yourself and know that you can overcome this period of your life. That the next chapter of your life will be SO much better. You just have to be willing to make the change.
This post showed you how to let go of what no longer serves you
Read More:
11 Tiny Daily Habits that Will Change Your Life
