"I just want to let it go..." After having heard this phrase many times with clients, students, and having said it myself, I feel like it's time to acknowledge what it is. The desire to let something go likely comes from a place of discomfort. Whatever that something is, we don't want to experience it anymore, be responsible for it, or be associated with it. This thing we want to let go of could be a material possession, a place, a relationship, emotions, thoughts, or a perception of ourselves. It holds power over us and consciously or subconsciously weighs us down.
Consider the last time you said that phrase to yourself or to another person. What is it that you wanted to let go of? In some cases, the process of recognizing what we need to release means identifying the thing that we are most attached to. In yoga, the practice of Aparigraha or nonattachment centers around the fact that nothing in life is permanent. The more we cling to our things, the more suffering we create for ourselves. Perhaps you want to let go of money worries, fighting with your partner, anxiety, or the feeling like you're not [......] enough. Sometimes, just bringing awareness to our attachment is enough to minimize its power over us. Sometimes, that thing might not ever go away or disappear, as much as we might try. Letting go is practice of acknowledgement and acceptance.
When we choose to release attachments and let go, we're able to focus on the things that really matter. Think about the last time you deep cleaned your house or threw away stuff you no longer needed. You literally create more room, and are in a position to choose what you fill your space with. The practice of letting inis asking yourself, "Now that I don't have this or believe that, what do I want to do?" This might be a challenge all on its own. It requires an understanding of what that thing you were holding onto meant to you, and why you felt like you needed it all this time. When it comes to letting in something new, think about positive aspects of who you are that you want to adapt, strengthen, or develop. You would want to choose something what will make you more whole, feel more fulfilled, and align with your authentic core self.
Food for Thought: "I'm so attached to [......] that the thought of no longer having it makes me uncomfortable or worried." "If [......] were not present in my life, I would feel more content, fulfilled, joyful." "If I were less [......], then I would do more [......]." "What do I want more of in my life?" "If I really loved myself, I would [......]."