Learning the Art of Letting Go

Quite often we face situations that seem trivial but end up bothering us a lot. Say, you went to a family get-together and someone commented about how you've put on some extra kilos. Maybe they just said that as a part of a normal conversation, but let’s face it, we have all been in a position where we've found such statements demeaning and have ended up putting way more thought into them than they deserve.

We try not to pay heed to these thoughts, but we end up overthinking and slowly it starts eating us on the inside. And just when a loved one senses that something is bothering us, they talk about how it's no big deal and how we should just let it go and move on. But sometimes holding onto things becomes a habit and unknowingly turns into a vicious cycle that we find difficult to get out of.

If only all of us could come with a default setting for letting things go. Well, we surely don't have any control over what anyone’s going to come and say to us, might as well just realize that we don't have control over it and let things be. Right? Because sometimes life ends up becoming so chaotic that all we can do is sit back and let things take their natural course.

Well, it’s often the thoughts containing guilt, worry and repentance that bother us the most. At times we struggle with letting these go. And sometimes holding onto them seems just as hard as letting them go. We all have heard about how life never turns out as planned, yet we cannot seem to let go of control over everything that we want in our lives.

It is natural to feel the need to be in control. But sometimes, letting go of the control and negative thoughts may lead to you becoming a happier version of yourself.

Here are some tips on how you can manage to let go of such thoughts without giving them the power to ruin your day:

Identify your triggers

Be honest with yourself. Ask yourself what makes you feel the need to control things around you. Self reflection goes a long way in taking charge of your happiness and helps you gain power over tough situations. Once you realize what triggers you, you can work on being mindful when similar situations strike.

Make a list of things that you can control

It can be your work, your diet, or your health (both mental and physical). Once you make a list of the things that you have control over, focus on maximizing them to their fullest potential. It will not only ensure that you become a healthier and happier version of yourself but also distract you from the thoughts of the things that you do not have control over.

Breathe when you start feeling distressed

Feeling the need to have everything under control brings in a lot of stress and anxiety, especially when things start going haywire. Sitting quietly in a place and simply focusing on your breath can work wonders for you. Initially, it may seem difficult, but once you start practising meditation daily, you will notice the difference.

Practice Gratitude

Pay attention to all the good things in your life. Write them down, and appreciate yourself for having them in your life. Noticing and holding onto the good things in your life is a great way to ensure that you don't think much about the things that are not under your control.

Live in the present

A lot of time we end up ruining the present over something that has happened in the past. We sometimes develop a habit of dwelling on things but we need to understand that life brings a lot of experiences our way and we need to learn from them and move on.

It is important to also embrace the fact that some things are simply out of our control. We often think that holding onto things makes us strong but sometimes letting go makes us stronger.

The thought of letting go can seem very difficult in the beginning but with the tips mentioned above, I hope you find it easier over time and become a happier version of yourself.

So, the next time you are faced with a situation that makes you overthink, be like Elsa from Frozen and just ‘Let it go!’ ❄️