We like to be comfortable, it makes us feel like we are in balance with the world. The problem is that sometimes we get a little bit too comfortable. We get into a routine that feels monotonous, doing the same things every day with the same people and our happiness can suffer. While our routine makes us feel balanced, sometimes we need to get out of our comfort zone. This requires Letting go of the people and things that are holding us back. Here is the honest truth about letting go.

Stop living your life just to make other people happy

We want to make the people we love happy. Whether it’s a romantic relationship, a friendship, or relationships with a family member we want to make these people feel like they’re important to us. Are these relationships benefitting you? Don’t get me wrong, you can’t always just erase these relationships from your life. Let go of the hold these people on you. Don’t let other people run your life, make small changes to start taking back control of your life.

What’s holding you back?

Yes, you have obligations that you must uphold. The truth about letting go is that you can stop letting things hold you back. Ask yourself, what is stopping you from reaching your goals? Why haven’t you done the things that you’ve been wanting to do? After you’ve evaluated, take an honest look at what you can change. Is there negativity from other people holding you back? Are you holding back because of how people will perceive you? Let go of it.

You give things the ability to hold you back

The honest truth about letting go is that you have to take responsibility for yourself. It’s really not other things holding you back, it’s you. Make a plan, give yourself short-term goals to reach the ultimate goal. If you can’t make something happen right now, create a timeline and get it done. You might have the ability to make things happen right now. Yes, things in life might get in the way but you can always work towards a goal. At the same time, don’t give yourself unrealistic expectations and think that letting go will happen overnight.

“Letting go means confronting these invisible emotional barriers: bringing them into your awareness and then struggling against them. It means challenging irrational, unproductive thinking until you get your head on straight; it means facing up to your fear and then calling on your courage and your character to face it down…” –Judith Sills Ph.D

The truth about letting go is that it’s a process

Letting go is going to take time. You can decide that you will let go of whatever is holding you back but it will take some time for a total release. The process can take a week for some people and situations, sometimes it can take 5 years. As long as you take the steps that will lead you in the right direction you’re doing the right things to let go.

Let go of the things that are holding you back, whether it’s a relationship, a job, a negative attitude, or anything else. Start the process and get out of your comfort zone to do the things that make you happy.

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