Let’s be honest. How much of your energy is entangled in things that just don’t serve you? What aspects of your life feel heavy, repetitive, or painful? 

What challenging patterns in your life keep repeating?

A toxic relationship, an ex-partner, family relationships that no longer support you, a friendship that has run its course, old resentments, old beliefs – holding on to unhealthy connections drains our energy and keeps us stuck. We might know logically that something is no longer serving us, but it’s still hard to let go. This isn’t a failure of willpower; it’s often rooted in deep-seated emotional and psychological patterns ingrained in us. Letting go requires a willingness to explore these patterns and develop new ways of relating to ourselves and the world around us. 

Why Letting Go is Crucial

Letting go isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s one of the most courageous things you can do. It takes a daring soul to recognise what’s not working in your life, release it, and step forward into the unknown. This is the growth path.

Limiting Beliefs

Letting go can be hard—it’s uncomfortable and involves stepping into uncharted territory. But true freedom is on the other side of that fear. Beliefs like “I’m not good enough” or “I’ll never be able to do that” are simply mind traps. Often, these beliefs come from childhood experiences or past failures.

Unresolved Grudges and Resentment
Holding onto anger or resentment is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to suffer. Forgiving doesn’t mean condoning hurtful behaviour; it means releasing yourself from the hold of the past. Letting go of deep resentment frees up emotional space for peace and healing.

The Need for Approval
Many of us spend so much time worrying about what others think that we forget to check in with ourselves. Letting go of the need for constant approval can be life-changing. Instead of seeking validation externally, focus on building a strong sense of self-worth from within.

Perfectionism
Oh gosh, how these words bring on anxiety for me. Trying to be perfect is exhausting and impossible. Letting go of perfectionism means embracing the beauty of being human, making mistakes, and learning as we go. Life isn’t about flawless achievements – it’s about growth, resilience, and authenticity.

Fear of Failure
Fear of failure holds so many of us back from taking risks, trying new things, and reaching our potential. Letting go of this fear doesn’t mean ignoring risk; it means reinterpreting failure as a stepping stone rather than a setback. You miss 100% of the opportunities you never take.

Unrealistic Expectations
Life doesn’t always unfold according to our plans, and that’s okay. Releasing the expectation that things “should” happen a certain way can lead to a greater sense of peace. Letting go of rigid expectations allows us to adapt, grow, and find happiness in the unexpected.

Past Mistakes
We all make mistakes. Many of us hold onto guilt, replaying our past actions and wondering how things could have been different. Letting go of past mistakes doesn’t mean we ignore them; it means we learn from them and permit ourselves to move forward. Many people romanticise the past and “what could have been”. The past is just that – the past. The more you replay it, the more you amplify negative feelings and reduce your mental resilience to deal with present challenges. 

The “Shoulds”
“I should be more successful by now,” “I should have a baby” or “I should be happier” are often voices of comparison and societal pressure. Letting go of the “shoulds” frees us to live by our values, not by what others expect of us.

You Can’t Hide From Yourself – Identity What’s Holding You Back

Having those hard conversations with yourself helps you to face head-on what you are avoiding. What are you scared to confront? Write it down. Acknowledge it. Sometimes we hold on because of the stories we tell ourselves. Challenge yourself to reframe those stories. Instead of focusing on what you’ve lost, think about what you’ve learned and gained from the experience. 

Processing and Validating Emotions

Many of the patterns we hold onto are connected to emotions we’ve never fully processed. Psychotherapy provides a safe space to feel these emotions without judgment. Often, resentment stems from unprocessed anger, sadness, or disappointment. Rather than pushing these feelings away, therapy encourages you to revisit your inner child, connect and feel them fully, and allow your small self to feel validated, understood and safe.

Letting go is a powerful act of self-care. You deserve to feel lighter, to move forward without old baggage, and to step into a life that reflects who you truly are. Are you ready to release what no longer serves you?