Letting Go of What No Longer Serves You

March 31, 2016 by Charlie Hedges − 0 Comments

Hi All,

Today I am featuring a guest post written by our web developer at Right Things, Trista Dedmon. Please enjoy her post and check her out at tristadedmon.com.

•••••

I don’t know about you, but this past Winter has been a tumultuous roller-coaster of transition and transformation for me. I’ve had a 3 year relationship end and drove across the country to my new home in Seattle, WA all in the span of a couple months. However, these huge life changes pale in comparison to the immense mental and emotional work that had to be tackled on an almost daily basis.

I know you’ve been there before too. Life has a way of showing up and flicking down your house of cards when you’ve been so carefully building it in the corner.

Throughout any huge life change whether it be loss of a loved one, change of job, or moving to a different location, I’ve found it immensely important to hold on to some things. My self-confidence, my resolve to always come out on top, and love for my closest people are some. But then…then…there are things you NEED to let go of in order to heal.

Pain will leave you, when you let go.

—Jeremy Aldana

Holding on to negative energies in your life is the root of many different emotional imbalances. We hold on to pain sometimes because it is comfortable; familiar. Those of us that manage to sit with our discomfort and push on past the unpleasant feelings are the ones that wind up living a more balanced, productive life.

Here’s a process you can consider to let go of what no longer serves you. 

  1. Start by thinking about the past weeks or months even. What have you been struggling with, or what has been causing you mental despair and anguish? Is it attachment to material wealth? Frustration over an unrequited love? Giving away too much of your time in order to please everyone?
  2. Write down all the thoughts and behavioral patterns that come to mind with no filter. Free associate and let whatever is going to come out, flow out of you.
  3. Now go back and revise. Circle the ones that intuitively stand out to you as having a real detrimental impact on your well-being. Write these down on a new sheet of paper.
  4. When you are alone, get a fireproof bowl and some matches. Fold the paper into fourths until you can’t anymore, light it on fire and put it in the bowl. As it’s burning, remember these behaviors and spiritually release them from your heart as you watch the paper smolder away.
  5. Take it a step further by drawing yourself a luxurious bath to cleanse your body and soul. Afterward, you will feel refreshed, cleansed, and ready to begin anew.

A note: This isn’t a quick-fix, and you won’t feel immediately better the next day, but you will notice an incremental lifting of your spirit and shift in your perception. Use the vision of your paper burning away as a reminder of what you have let go. It will get better!

Repeat this routine every month or so as you notice your soul needing to let go of extra negative energy that doesn’t serve you.

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

Trista Dedmon is a transformational brand and web designer for deep-thinking creative entrepreneurs. She uses her love of aesthetics and sophistication to craft one of a kind online presences. You can follow along with her blog The Creative Flow to get more actionable guidance for building a purposeful livelihood online.

Photo courtesy of stock_colors at istockphoto

Leave a Reply

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

The Next Chapter Podcast
Living a life of meaning Living a life with adventure Living a life with awe