9 Things You Need to Release & Let Go!

Letting go is scary. It means leaving behind the familiar and embracing the unknown. There is the potential for loss, pain, and void. Letting go is about trusting God.

After my children went left for college, my husband and I decided it was time to down size. This meant selling a house that we had played a big part in designing. It was just the way we wanted it. And it was a house brimming with family memories. For me, it was far more than a house – it was the home of my dreams!

Not only were we downsizing, but we were moving to a new city and new state to be closer to some of our children and their families. Being closer to family – that was exciting. But before that was possible, I had to release the home I loved.

I’d like to say I made the move and never looked back, but the hard truth is that even though I had physically moved, my heart was still hanging on! It’s impossible to embrace the new when you are clinging to the old.

Making the move taught me that as long as I am gripping tightly to what needs to be released, I will never fully appreciate the new. Trust me – there is more amazing stuff ahead.

What are you holding onto tightly? What do you need to release? It’s different for everyone, but here are seven common things we cling to:

1. Stuff

If you’ve downsized, you know that getting rid of 20+ years of memories can be emotional. I discovered in the process of moving that I’d hung on to more than I realized. So many precious memories! There can be a real emotional attachment to possessions.

Perhaps you have been holding on to stuff too – reminders of loved ones or happy times even though they are cluttering your space. Clutter is your enemy. It zaps your energy.

Or maybe you‘ve let papers accumulate and the thought of sorting through them seems overwhelming. Whatever it is for you, start small. Identify what the stuff means to you. Are they items that need to be put away, donated, or tossed?

Getting rid of stuff is a process, but one that’s worth the effort. Afterwards you will feel lighter, more organized, and surprisingly it will energize you in other areas of your life.

2. Busyness

Does your schedule have you racing from one activity or meeting to the next with very little time to pause, reflect, and refresh? Are you quick to take on more and slow to let go of responsibilities?

A jam-packed schedule is not sustainable. You might keep it up for a short while, but eventually it will catch up with you.

How can you slow down and intentionally create more margin in your life?

3. Responsibilities

How realistic are you when it comes to knowing what you can juggle? Are you spreading yourself too thin? Don’t fool yourself! You have limits!

With fewer responsibilities, you are able to concentrate and focus your efforts in a way that makes a greater impact. Less really is more!

Some responsibilities are non-negotiable. Roles like being a spouse, parent, etc. are priorities, yet they often suffer the most when you take on too much.

Have you taken the time to consider what is driving your desire to do all that you are doing? Are there responsibilities that you are clinging too for the wrong reasons?

Be honest. What responsibilities need to go in this season?

4. Mindsets

How you think has a profound effect on your life, work, relationships, goals, and more. When negative feelings like dread, fear, or anxiety pop up, it’s a clue that it’s time for a mindset to go so that you can embrace a new way of thinking.

Mindsets are sneaky. They step in and take control without you even knowing it. Without regularly tuning in to how you are feeling, you will miss the way it’s dictating your life. And because the way you think is the way you think there’s a good chance you will miss those wonky thoughts altogether.

If you are serious about transforming the thinking that’s holding you back, working with a coach is a practical and powerful way to do that.

5. Relationships

Relationships are one of my top five values. The people in my life are important treasures to me. In order to give them my best, I must face the fact that I have a limited capacity for relationships.  That means I need to be selective about who I chose to give my time to. While I am to lovingly interact with everyone, not everyone needs to have a place in my life.

Who are the most important people in your life? What needs to go in order for you to invest your best into those relationships?

Are there people in your life who bring you down or who cast doubt on your abilities? How can you limit the interactions you have with these people – let them go?

6. Expectations

Expectations lead to disappointment! Disappointment fuels discouragement. It’s impossible to do your best work in that discouraged place.

When you are focused on your expectations, seeing the blessings, possibilities, and the beauty of this moment are hard to see.

Let go of your expectations and tap into your curiosity.

7. Guilt

Lugging around guilt through life is draining! There is nothing you can do about the past, so let it go! Put all your efforts into proactively creating a better future.

8. Plans

I am a natural planner. It helps me stay on track with my goals and ensure that I am not exceeding my limits. However, a key part of being an excellent planner is the ability to flex, adjust, and easily create a new plan. Planning is good! Having rigid plans that you are unwilling to adjust – not so good!

9. Your Fear Monster

The only way to let go of that deep seeded core fear, your Fear Monster, is to neglect him and lean into who God created you to be! Take your focus off of your Fear Monster (that only makes him grow) and onto how deeply and extravagantly you are loved by God. And your identity in Him. Leaving your Fear Monster behind – that leads to real transformation!

Letting go and releasing what’s gobbling up your energy makes it possible for you to take hold of something better! Think of it as a new “lease’ on life when you re-lease! You will be more focused and available for meaningful opportunities. Letting go allows you to make the most of your precious time.

What do you need to let go?

Revised and updated just for you! Originally posted on 4/28/15 – enjoy!