.png)
As the calendar turns to a new year, many of us feel a spark of motivation, a sense of possibility. But sometimes, just beneath that excitement, we might find ourselves clinging to something that no longer exists or doesn’t serves us anymore—the past.
Old habits are hard to change and it’s very natural to hold onto what’s familiar. Memories, the way we speak with certain people, those safety places/people we go to when we feel low/high, the comfort food we have when we go out with friends, the way we move on our mats, and even old versions of ourselves can feel like a cozy blanket. But when we hold on too tightly, that blanket can start to feel heavy. It can keep us from stepping fully into the present and embracing the opportunities ahead.
So, let me ask you:
Are there experiences from last year (or years before) that you’re still replaying in your mind?
Do you find yourself wishing things had turned out differently or feeling stuck because they didn’t?
Are you holding onto an identity, belief, or routine that no longer feels true to who you are now?
If any of this resonates, you’re not alone. Letting go is one of the hardest things we can do—it’s also one of the most freeing. I had to learn this the hard way. Having moved homes more than 8 times in my life, changing countries and the uncertainty of new places have taught me that it's okay to let go the old versions of yourself and how others perceived you. It's okay to move on and embrace change. It's okay to let go who you were in order to become who you want to be!
Why Letting Go Is So Important
When we release the old, we create space for the new - this is my mantra! It’s like cleaning out a closet: you can’t fit a beautiful new outfit into a space stuffed with things you never wear. Similarly, we can’t fully embrace growth, love, or new opportunities and people into our lives while holding onto past hurts, regrets, or outdated narratives about who we are.
Letting go doesn’t mean forgetting or dismissing the past. It means honoring what it’s taught you and then gently placing it down so you can move forward with lighter hands and an open heart.
How to Begin Releasing the Past
Ask Yourself What You’re Holding Onto: Take some quiet time to reflect. Journal, meditate, or simply sit with the question: What am I holding onto that no longer serves me? Trust the answers that come up, even if they surprise you.
Acknowledge the Lessons: Every experience—good or bad—has something to teach us. Think about what the past has given you. It could be friends, knowledge, values, money, travel, anything! Gratitude can be a powerful way to let go
Set an Intention for the New Year: This is a good one! Instead of focusing on what you’re leaving behind, focus on what you’re stepping into. Ask yourself: What's the best that can happen? Write down an intention for 2025 that excites you.
Be Gentle with Yourself: Letting go is a process, not a switch you flip. Some days will feel easier than others, and that’s okay. Celebrate each step forward, no matter how small.
A Fresh Start Awaits
As we move through January, remind yourself: You deserve to feel free, unburdened, and open to all the beauty this year has to offer. The past helped shape who you are, but it doesn’t have to define where you’re going.
So, take a deep breath. With every exhale, let a little bit of the old fall away. With every inhale, welcome the new possibilities waiting to unfold.
This is your time. Let’s embrace it together. 💛
Comments