The Science of Simplicity: LETTING IT GO

Have you ever stopped to consider that holding onto the past is a form of insanity?

Like a turtle carrying its home on its back, we carry our past and allow it to increasingly burden us. Eventually, all hope is lost for finding the most fulfilling levels of happiness and wellbeing.

You see, you need to be free from burdens and immersed in the only time you will ever really be alive, in order to fully experience everything life is offering.

(Oh, that time that you are ever really alive, is this moment, in case you weren’t sure)

Even too many mementos of the good times can weigh us down, but I’m mostly talking about the not-so-good times.

The truth is, past failures, humiliations and other uncomfortable moments are meant to be nothing more than growing pains. Learn the lesson, and then move on.

Tragically, people collect their growing pains and get so weighed down by them, that they begin living as if life is a prison sentence instead of a work of art.

Ask yourself:

• What are you gaining by stopping the life you “could” be living, because you are burdened with a life you “used” to be living?

Sit on that question for a while. In fact, write it down and ask yourself a couple of times because its bears the additional reflection.

• Are you afraid if you let go, that you will make the same mistakes again?
• Are you afraid that if you let go, there will be nothing good to fill up the space?
• Have you decided the safety inside your cocoon of fear is worth more than risking embarrassment, regret, or some other sort of heartbreak?
• Do you want to let it go but can’t?

***There are serious mental health problems such as PTSD and chronic grief. Fortunately, these conditions are treatable and help is available. Those are a bit outside the scope of this article.

What does let “IT” go even mean?

Well, those “its” are for you to decide. It could be things, activities, or people.

Whatever “it” is, start letting go, even if it’s just a little each day. As you lighten the load, you will begin to gain a sense of freedom. That freedom is a clean slate for you to create a masterpiece of your life.

What are you waiting for?

Delete some old emails, say goodbye to your frenemy, start payments on that overdue bill, make one small step. Make another one tomorrow.

Continue each until your life is free and clear of whatever you’ve been holding onto from a past that does nothing but weigh you down.