If you’re a parent, heck if you haven’t been living under a rock, I’m gonna venture a guess that you’ve probably heard Elsa from the Disney animated feature FROZEN sing, “Let it go, let it go!’ Such a fantastic lyric and a beautifully uplifting song. You’ve probably watched little ones standing strong with open, outstretched arms singing unabashedly to the sky. They make it look so inspiring and freeing.
BUT IT ISN’T EASY TO LET GO, IS IT?
Both physical things and mental thoughts can be so hard to let go. In my work with my clients, I watch them struggle and almost feel sick over the decisions to let go of letters, kids artwork, family heirlooms; you name it.
- “People hold onto their stuff like it’s a life raft when in fact, it’s an anchor weighing them down.” – Peter Walsh, author ‘It’s All Too Much’
Are you justifying hanging onto stuff, ‘Just in case’ or ‘Because you’re afraid to loose the memory’ or Because you spent a lot of money on it?’
WHICH ONE(S) ARE YOU?
Holding onto stuff carries through to so many areas of our lives. In serving my clients, I listen to how their last relationship didn’t work out or when their loved one passed away or how challenging their work has been lately. I also observe so much physical discomfort or dis-ease. Many of my clients often suffer from the symptoms of IBS, lower back pain, sleeplessness, depression, anxiety and more. All of these things are connected. We are, after all, one mind, one spirit, one body.
BUT WHAT CAN YOU DO?
These are the tools I suggest when you are feeling the strong desire to hold on out of fear. If you’re stuck, this is how you can start to move forward. You can do this at home right now.
- VISUALIZE – Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths and imagine the life you want to lead. What beautiful things surround you? How do you feel and interact with everyone in your life? With eyes still closed, breathe and smile because it’s actually inside of you right now to lead this magical, fantastic life.
- NOTICE – With eyes open or closed, notice what just happened in your body. Did the tightness in your throat release? Did the knot in your stomach go away? Did your shoulders go back and down? You just learned to let go.
- NOTE – Make note of the feelings that came up for you and where they lived in your body. The next time you’re faced with a decision or are in an uncomfortable situation, take a deep breath and see if you can release the tension emotionally and physically.
It is from this centred place that you can make choices that are in line with who you are deep down and what you really want! Give it a try. Immediately after this quick and simple exercise, pick something small and easy to declutter.
Whatever you want to let go of, take it from Elsa’s lyrics…
“It’s funny how some distance
Makes everything seem small
And the fears that once controlled me
Can’t get to me at all
It’s time to see what I can do
To test the limits and break through
No right, no wrong, no rules for me,
I’m free!
Let it go! Let it go!!