20 Jul Why it’s so hard to let go.
Letting go
Life is a continuous series of beginnings and endings. But there are times where we need to learn to stop and let go and this letting go can be a challenge. I want to share a bit of the psychological, emotional and practical issues that make it so difficult to release what no longer serves us.
- The Comfort of Familiarity: As humans we have a tendency to seek comfort in familiarity or routine. Even in terrible situations or when a relationship has become toxic we often cling to it because of the security and certainty. Letting go requires us to confront our fears and redefine our sense of self. Necessary but not easy
- Emotional Attachments: Rationally we understand why we need to let go, it’s the emotional attachments that play a significant role in that struggle. We are afraid of losing the positive aspects associated with what we’re letting go of, even if it means freeing ourselves from the negative or stagnant. When we understand this emotional bond, we can get behind the difficultly and make that change.
- Fear of Regret and Failure: When we contemplate stopping and/or moving on, we fear that if we let go, we might regret our decision or perceive it as a failure. When we recognise that failure and regret are integral parts of growth we get to embrace the possibilities of change.
- Social and External Pressures: This is a powerful influence on our ability to stop and let go. We often feel compelled to follow the societal norms, cling to relationships or careers that we think others consider successful. Can we be brave enough to let go, trust and see what happens
Letting go often demands courage, resilience and self-awareness. By choosing to let go, we are trying to embrace change, trust in the process of life and have faith ourselves and our ability to adapt and grow.
Learn more about life coaching and the support you may need to make that change here; Life coaching
or book a chat with Dani and see if this can change your life