15 Jun Letting Go of the Past

Many of us spend a ton of time replaying memories in our minds. Usually, the ones we replay over and over are the ones that hurt us the most. And, holding onto these dark or negative thoughts tends to hold us back from living the life we dream of.

Whether it was a fight with someone you love, a mistake you made that you keep beating yourself up over, or something else entirely, holding onto these things and mentally reliving them can keep you in the same ol’ pattern of repeating the past over and over again.

It’s definitely easier said than done, but if you really want to create a new future for yourself, learning to let go is crucial.  

How to Let Go of the Past

There’s no right way to let go of the past; a method that works for one person may not work for you. However, as a whole, in order to heal your past and truly let it go, you will need to nurture yourself and honor your feelings. You will need to find ways to feel safe with yourself and know that no matter what, you are loved and nurtured.

Mistakes and regrets are guideposts and learning experiences if we allow ourselves to view them as such. Instead of beating yourself up over the past, blaming others or holding onto resentment, it’s essential that you start to see those situations in a new light. What did you learn? How did you grow? How did it make you stronger? Would you be who you are today without those experiences?

Exercises to Help You Let Go and Move Forward

If you’re determined to stop letting your past keep you from being happy, practice the following exercises to start accepting and releasing those memories:

• Put it in writing. Pick something from your past that really bothers you and write it down in detail. Then look back over it, and try looking at it in a new light or from a new perspective. Rewrite the memory in a new version that describes all the good things that came out of it. Did it make you stronger? Did that situation start a shift or transformation in your life that’s led to other things you’re grateful for?
  

• Now go bigger: identify your emotional habits. How do you typically react to things that happen to you? How do you live your life in general? What are your tendencies? Where do you live emotionally? What stories do you tell yourself over and over? Use this to identify negative emotional responses, rewrite them into positive emotional responses, and condition yourself towards a more positive experience. Rewrite your own personal life story about who you are in a positive light. Then use it as a guideline to catch yourself whenever you feel yourself falling back into your old habits.
  

• Start every day with intention. Cultivate your mental, emotional, and spiritual garden every morning. Set the tone for your day. Feed yourself empowering stories. Make a list of things that make you happy and choose a few to do each morning or any time you feel yourself spiraling back to the negative.
  

• Spend time each day giving back in some small way. Offer something to someone every day, whether it be a compliment, making someone laugh, or holding the door for a stranger.
  

• Practice gratitude. When you live a life of gratitude, your habits begin to shift towards a more positive outlook on life. This in turn helps you learn how to let go of negative energy and open yourself up to new opportunities.

Letting Go Can Heal Your Physical Pain, Too

When we’re hurting emotionally, especially over long periods of time, this pain can often lead to physical pain — often without us seeing the connection. At LunaVox Transformative Healing, we work with women in Colorado and beyond to reveal the true cause of their pain, awaken to their potential, and live each day with passion and purpose. Learn more about our in-office chiropractic and reiki sessions, or see if our distance healing package is right for you!