• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Leap Forward Coaching

Leap Forward Coaching

Life, Executive and Career Coaching

  • Home
  • About
  • Services
    • Executive Coaching
    • Life Coaching
    • Career Coaching
    • Our Process
  • Clients
  • Newsletters
  • Blog
  • Press
  • Contact

Let It Go!

August 2, 2016 by leapforward 1 Comment

The popular children’s movie has made it catchy to tell ourselves and others to Let It Go! But releasing what does not serve us is easier said than done. Let’s explore why we hold on to things, knowing when to relax our grip, and the freedom and power that flow from letting go.

Melanie Ott

Inspirational Thoughts

“Sometimes letting things go is an act of far greater power than defending or hanging on.” ~ Eckhart Tolle

“When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be. When I let go of what I have, I receive what I need.” ~ Lao Tzu

Let It Go: Finding Freedom in Release

We’ve all heard about the value of persistence and perseverance, and motivational sayings such as, “Winners never quit and quitters never win,” and “If you’re going through hell, keep on going.”

It’s easy to glorify tenacity – the steadfast refusal to release your grasp on a dream, a goal, an expectation, or even a relationship. But sometimes the things you cling to most tightly aren’t the buoys of safety you think they are … they may be anchors dragging you down. Letting go frees you to discover something better – or to allow something better to find you!

iStock_4601924_SMALLcropped

When We Hold On Too Tightly

Over time, unmet expectations or unfulfilled dreams can feel burdensome. A relationship that was once full of joy is now an emotional drain. A career that once inspired you has become a drudgery. It might even be physical stuff you’re holding on to – a desk full of papers, a closet full of clothes, or boxes full of hobbies that no longer interest you.

Letting go is acknowledging that holding on isn’t solving the problem, changing the person, or achieving your desired outcome. It’s natural to cling to things that once brought you pleasure or hope – but now is the time to let go of anything that doesn’t support your current joy and success.

When To Relax Your Grip

Here’s a question to ask when you’re deciding whether to let something go: Does it still serve me? Your immediate, instinctive answer to that question will be a guide towards the truth and your next actions.

In Marie Kondo’s book The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, she suggests discarding anything that doesn’t “spark joy.” She offers a beautiful ritual for letting go of things that no longer serve you. Hold each item in your hand and thank it for the joy it once brought you and the usefulness it once served. Then release it with gratitude for your past and contentment for the future.

Let Go, Don’t Give Up

So what’s the difference between giving up and letting go? Giving up limits and reduces your life. It’s a form of self-defeat, throwing in the towel or throwing up your hands and disavowing responsibility.

Letting go on the other hand, is about self-care, opening and expanding your life to new possibilities. It’s accepting you can’t control everything and that some things cannot be. Most importantly, letting go is a positive mindset about moving on and moving forward. Set your intentions, take necessary action, then let go — releasing control and having faith in future blessings.

Tips to Let It Go

  • Focus on what you can control. If you can’t change something, stop dwelling on it. Be honest with yourself about your hopes, desires and fears; remind yourself of all you’ve done to further your goal; then let it go, trusting that what is meant to be, will be.
  • Live in the present. It can be hard to let go of “if onlys” and “what ifs,” but fretting about the past or worrying about the future distracts from mindful living. Strive to live in this moment and trust in the blessings of the future.
  • Release what does not serve you. Identify three things in your life that no longer serve you: an obligation that has become a drag on your time, a non-supportive relationship, or even a physical object that’s just taking up space. Then let go – releasing that which is no longer useful.
  • Express your feelings. Instead of bottling things up inside, talk it out with your friends or family. Write down what you’re feeling – stress, anger, fear, frustration – on a piece of paper. Then shred or burn it!
  • Let go of the past. It’s easy to be negative about past mistakes and hurtful situations. A healthier approach is to grant yourself permission to let go of the embarrassment, pain or worry and view your past as the gift of experience designed to advance you to higher levels of living.

Focus on the Future

At Leap Forward Coaching we have a process to help you live boldly. Our thoughtful methods help you let go of what no longer serves you, freeing you to live your best, most fulfilled life.

Filed Under: Archive Newsletter, Happiness, Living Courageously, Self Care, Thrive, Worry & Anxiety, Zen Habits

Reader Interactions

Trackbacks

  1. Move On | Leap Forward Coaching| Life, Executive and Career Coaching says:
    May 7, 2019 at 10:17 am

    […] Acknowledge your feelings, whether of disappointment, pain, or frustration. Then resolve to let them go so they don’t hold you […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

RSS
Facebook
Facebook
fb-share-icon
Twitter
Visit Us
Tweet
LinkedIn
LinkedIn
Share
Newsletter Signup | Leap Forward Coaching, LLC

Newsletter Archive
Complimentary Coaching Meeting

Archives

  • November 2021
  • August 2021
  • June 2021
  • March 2021
  • January 2021
  • November 2020
  • September 2020
  • July 2020
  • May 2020
  • March 2020
  • January 2020
  • November 2019
  • September 2019
  • July 2019
  • May 2019
  • February 2019
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • August 2018
  • June 2018
  • April 2018
  • February 2018
  • October 2017
  • April 2017
  • February 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • August 2016
  • June 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • January 2015
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • July 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • January 2014
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • June 2013
  • April 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • April 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • September 2011
  • June 2011
  • March 2011
  • January 2011
  • October 2010
  • June 2010
  • April 2010
  • January 2010
  • November 2009
  • October 2009

Categories

  • Archive Newsletter
  • Balance
  • Celebrate Gratitude
  • Confidence
  • Cultivate Creativity
  • Decision Making
  • Declutter
  • Discover Your Strengths
  • Dreams For Success
  • Focus on the Future
  • Focus-Building Tips
  • Forgiveness
  • Going Green
  • Happiness
  • Joy
  • Kindness
  • Life Purpose
  • Lifelong Learning
  • Living Courageously
  • Mindfulness
  • Multitasking
  • Patience
  • Planning For Success
  • Prescription for Health
  • Relationships
  • Resilience
  • Self Care
  • Thanksgiving
  • Thrive
  • Transition
  • Using Technology
  • Worry
  • Worry & Anxiety
  • Zen Habits

Footer

  • Home
  • About
  • Clients
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Client Login
  • Sitemap
  • Executive Coaching
  • Life Coaching
  • Career Coaching
  • Our Process

Copyright © 2011-Present Leap Forward Coaching, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Handcrafted with by Studiodog