Life
5 Ways to Let Go of the Past for Good
Are you struggling to let go of your past? Without letting go of your previously lived conflicts, struggles, and doubts you are left reliving the past. You must bring clarity into your life to start living presently. The present moment is where the magic happens and if you are stuck in the past, moving forward seems incomprehensible.
Everyone has a story they identify with. It’s the attachment to that story that inhibits you. Facing your soul on a deep, honest level is a tough act to do. But it’s required if you want to see yourself take action in the present, without the burdens of your past constantly over your shoulder.
You are a completely different person from a second ago. The atoms, molecules, and cells that make up your body are in constant motion. Life is in a state of change, with or without you. You are not the same person you were even a second ago, let alone years.
Letting go of your past is how you take a stand in your life. With courage and heart, you are capable of doing the impossible. You can let go of the past, once and for all. Healing your mind heals your present, it’s a requirement if you wish to live a fulfilling life.
Below are the 5 ways to begin letting go of your past, for good:
1. Meditation
At the core of your suffering is attachment. Meditation is vital for understanding that “This Too Shall Pass”. Observing your thoughts and beliefs lets you see them from a different perspective.
You don’t need to become a monk sitting in a cave to benefit from meditation. Even 5-10 minutes a day can drastically improve your life. Meditation empowers you to be present with your past, forcing you to look deep inside the psyche.
Your past will linger in your subconscious if you are unable to let go. Meditation allows your subconscious thoughts to come to the surface, giving you a chance to come to terms with them. By witnessing the present moment through meditation you are automatically letting go of the past.
2. Mindfulness
Mindfulness is not meditation but one cannot exist without the other. Becoming mindful of your thoughts is how you become conscious of the conflicts within the mind. When your mind brings up your past leaving you in a battle, you can utilize mindfulness like so:
Let yourself be with the thought. See how it makes you feel, what emotions it brings up.
Ask yourself if this thought is you, right now, or if it is just a thought that is passing through. Try to be with the emotion as much as you can bear, that’s the key to letting the past go. If you get overwhelmed, feel free to take a break.
Meditation and mindfulness are not overnight solutions. They are incredibly impactful when used in conjunction with one another. Don’t expect to be cured in a day. With constant practice the impact they can have on your mental health is incredible.
3. Forgiveness
Forgive others even when they shouldn’t be forgiven. People we cross paths with can bring immense pain that lasts years. Whether it be friends, family, an ex, forgive them.
You aren’t forgiving them to help them, it’s to help yourself. Bottling up those negative emotions inside you has never been of any help. Letting anger fester is how you let the past control your present.
Forgive yourself as well. You may have made some mistakes, it doesn’t mean you need to live IN your mistakes. Life has changed and so have you, it’s a simple yet powerful way of letting go.
4. Acceptance
Conflict resides within us when we are in disagreement with reality. This disagreement is what latches onto our psyche. Acceptance is a deceptively simple practice that is often overlooked. What would your life look like if you were in acceptance of the present moment?
You wouldn’t have any internal conflicts, struggles, or doubts. There would only be the present moment left, letting you take charge of your life without anything holding you down. Freedom is found by accepting our past, who we are, and moving forward.
“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
5. Ask for Help
You don’t have to go through life alone. Some of my best releases in life was letting it all out and showing the emotions that were eating me alive. When someone is there to listen, it makes a difference.
If you don’t feel comfortable opening up to your family or friends, look into counseling. The stigma of therapy is long gone. Being able to open up to someone who isn’t involved in your life can be incredibly therapeutic.
It’s your chance to be honest not only with yourself but the person you are talking with. Our family and friends are there to support us just as we support them in times of need. You aren’t a burden even if you think so.
Be open to experiencing the negative emotions that your past brings up. By facing your soul head-on you are letting your emotions run their course. You won’t be haunted forever. You have all the tools needed to let go of your past. Give yourself time, you won’t be cured overnight. With dedication, though, you will find the relief you are looking for.