Learning to let go can be one of the most challenging tasks. Whether you’re letting go of someone, something or merely an idea, it can be difficult. Some things seem like an obvious thing to let go of while others can leave you restless, wondering if you’re doing the right thing or if you have the right reasons.
Most people are brought up to think that certain people and ideas are irreplaceable, people that you cannot live without, ideas that you cannot logically replace. It is easy to fall into routines that make us complicit in our lack of happiness because we were taught that this unease comes from things that we cannot let go of. If we let go of them, we will be viewed as the selfish family member who “abandoned our upbringing” and can never be forgiven.
These ideas that are instilled in us from a young age are ones that must be unlearned and overcome. There is nothing selfish about prioritizing your well-being over an idea that was involuntarily instilled in you that you find no merit in. Doing what you want is not selfish, and doing what you need must be a priority.
Learning to let go is hard, let’s not fool ourselves. Letting go is not only unlearning old ideas but justifying things that others may not support.
It may start seemingly simple, not responding to someone’s messages or ignoring that inkling in the back of your mind that makes you want to believe that something is alright. After that, it gets more difficult for the non-confrontational type. Whether it means confronting the evils within or directly confronting another person, it can get messy and challenging very quickly.
However, once we succeed in that confrontation, we are freed from the shackles of things we do not need, things we never needed. Whether it is something seemingly simple and short-lived, or something lasting that has been such a guarantee in your life that you could never previously fathom living without it, suddenly, you are free.
Being free does not mean everything is suddenly perfect and we can just go on our merry ways without a thought to the past again. These things, ideas and people can live within our existence for the rest of our lives. But the fact that you’ve made it this far proves that you are strong enough to overcome it again and again.
Learning to let go is not for the faint of heart, but you are strong and you have got this. Self-care is never selfish, always remember that.