Many of us have experienced pain, sadness, or anger when we’ve lost something important in our lives. Whether it be a personal relationship, loss of a job, memories from a difficult childhood, someone offending us, or a mistake that we made, painful reminders from the past can be persistent, making us tense and uncertain, and draining our energy. We cannot change the past but can let go and move forward. Letting go of the past is challenging but not an impossible process.
Why Should I Let Go?
A significant reason to let go of the past is that you can’t go back and alter it to prevent the occurrence or have a different outcome – the past is over. Also, your past is not necessarily who you are today. Your past consists of experiences that are only fragments of yourself and not your whole identity.
Look at disturbing past events as lessons learned to improve your personal growth and future success. Is there anything you could have done differently or anything you could have done to prevent it? Explore how you reacted to the event; would you behave the same in the present?
From a health perspective, holding onto the past can result in depression, or in the case of traumatic events, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). When you don’t let go of the hurt, you may find it challenging to function in the present, suppressing you from moving forward.
How Do I Let Go of the Past?
The following strategies will help you to stop dwelling on past incidents and boost your ability to move forward. Psychotherapist Babita Spinelli explains that you must deliberately make an effort to put past experiences behind you. The first step is to consciously decide that you’re going to commit to let go.
Give A Pardon
When you pardon or forgive someone for offending you, the burden of anger and resentment is lifted. That does not mean you must continue a relationship with the other person or allow them to mistreat you.
It means you can choose to accept the situation and emotions and pardon the person for the offense. When you truly forgive, you will have the benefits of a more positive outlook, reduced risk of mental and physical illness, and a boost to your well-being.
Change Your Mindset – Live for Today
Mindfulness is a therapeutic technique for focusing on the present rather than the past. Acknowledge and accept your emotions, sensations, and thoughts in the current moment. Remember that the past is only a memory, and the present and future ahead of you are essential.
Practice Healthy Rituals
Eating right, exercising, and getting sufficient sleep are essential for good health. When your health is good, you can cope better, positivity increases, and your growth mindset is elevated. For example, a healthy daily ritual might include breakfast, taking a brisk walk, practicing meditation at bedtime, and going to bed and waking up at the same time daily. Strive to get 7 – 9 hours of quality sleep nightly.
You Are Not Alone
Feelings that you may have about the past are normal – we have all had the same or similar situations and emotions. Share with people you trust; chances are they have experienced the same at some point in their life.
Conclusion
Holding onto adverse past events can harm our health and our future. We cannot change the past, but we can practice techniques that will help us to let go. While it will take time, it is well worth it to build a better future by letting go of the past.
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