Sometimes we cling to things that cause pain and suffering. Because of our need for certainty. We all need to feel certain that we can find some comfort in our lives. And letting go of those past emotions means stepping into the unknown. It takes a lot of courage to let go of what’s familiar, and embrace an uncertain future. Learning to let go of past emotions is difficult, but not impossible. So if you’re holding on to something that’s costing you your happiness. Here are some ways you can let go and move on from the past, and start living a life full of joy.
Let go and accept what Happened
The first step of letting go and moving on is acceptance. By not accepting what happened, you are feeding that situation or memory more energy. You are giving it power and making it into something bigger than what it might have been. So instead of pushing your feelings away, let it in. As you accept what happened and the feelings that go along with it, they become less powerful. That emotional attachment starts to fade and it becomes easier to let and move on with your life.
Be Thankful for the Experience
Even if something ended negatively you can still take something positive from the experience. If you made a mistake you can learn from that mistake, and grow as a person. Use the experience as a way to grow and push you forward, not hold you back.
Take Control of your life
By dwelling on what happened and reliving the experience over and over again in your mind, you’re not changing anything. We don’t have control over the past and being distracted by things you cannot change, doesn’t benefit you. So switch your focus from what you cannot change to whats you can change. And out your energy into things that will have a positive impact on your life moving forward.
Practice self-care
When we are hurting, it can sometimes feel like there’s nothing but hurt. So when you’re down in the dumps it’s important your incorporating self-care to your daily routine. It can be as simple as setting boundaries, saying no, or engaging in activities that bring you joy. Long as your putting your needs first, the more empowered you feel the less overwhelming the hurt will seem, and the easier it’ll be to let go and move on.
Don’t be so hard on Yourself
When we have trouble letting go of a difficult situation, we tend to criticize ourselves. We’ll dwell on what we did wrong, and make ourselves feel even worse. Don’t put yourself down or compare your journey to others. Instead, treat yourself with compassion. Mistakes happen and the decision you made was made for a reason. Bad days are inevitable and some situations are near impossible to avoid. Trust in yourself and know that you made the right decision and choose to treat yourself kindly afterward. Remind yourself that it’s ok to feel these negative emotions and it’s not your fault, and be understanding.
Talk about it
If you’re struggling to let go of a painful experience, you might benefit from talking to a professional, trusted friend, or family member. Sometimes it’s difficult handling things on your own and seeking help is what you need to get through the process. It’s important to remember that you don’t have to fight the battle alone, and there are people who have experience with similar situations. They’ll be able to offer you advice and give you hope that beyond all the hurt is happiness.
Letting go of the past isn’t easy, but when you choose to take control of the situation. You’re taking steps towards living a happier life. It takes time so be kind to yourself and don’t be afraid yo reach out for help when you need it and don’t forget to celebrate the small victories. When painful emotions have control of you, what are somethings you do to let go and move on?
Related post: 4 Mindful Ways to Process Difficult Emotions
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Talking about it is really an important part of moving on. The journey will not be easy but talking about it and fully accepting what happened help a lot in the healing process. Thanks for sharing
That’s right!
Totally agree, talking to someone always helps! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this!
Thanks for stopping by.
These are great tips. I have a hard time moving on from embarrassing or rough situations, as my brain likes to dwell on them (especially right before bedtime). I like the idea of accepting what happened and moving on from it. I read about that method in a book called “Radical Acceptance:” basically where you acknowledge the bad thing, honor it, and let it go. Great in practice (as you mention above) but sometimes difficult to do. Great post!
Thank you! Mine too, I found that journaling before bed helps with acceptance, so I can let go and get some rest. It’s something that’s not always easy, but important self in letting go and moving forward.
I always tell people that they should talk to someone about what they’re going through. Whether it be a professional or just a friend, it’s soo important. I’m always so hard on myself, so that’s a tip I know I need to really listen to. Thank you for this ♥
For sure! It’s better to talk to someone than to keep everything bottled up.
Love this. It’s so important that you open up and talk about what you’re going through. It can be so, so hard by yourself.
Thank you! That’s right, we don’t have to fight our battles alone. There’s always someone willing to listen and help.