Article

Back

Letting Go of the Past

Posted By : Administrator Tuesday 27 Dec, 2016
Letting Go of the Past

There’s an important difference between giving up and letting go.

                                                                                       –Jessica Hatchigan

I loved, once upon a time. Then they left. It hurt too much. Some nights, no, most nights I cried myself to sleep, always thinking, ‘Why did I ever have to meet them? Why did they leave? Why?’ The days went by in a daze. I wasn't angry; I was empty. And then I vowed, I would never love again. 

This story resonates with a host of people. You may be one of them. You may not. But there's no one who can lay claim to never having experienced hurt before. We love, we lose, we fall and we rise. As long as we choose to live as social beings, this will continue. The truth is our happiness is never truly ours. We also owe it to the people around us. 

Getting hurt is normal. Letting go of this hurt is much harder. A loved one dying? A broken relationship? Trauma? These stay with you, always at the back of your mind. However, you can take steps to break free from whatever shackles hold you back. 

Realise You Are Holding Yourself Back

Realising your problems is the go-to first step for solving it. It's surprisingly easy to consider our issues as the new norm. Wrong, of course, or they would never have been issues. To let go of the past, you must realize that you are being held back by it. ‘I'm fine’, you tell yourself. No, you're not. You just don't know it. The people around you do, though. So listen to them carefully when they are concerned about you.

Make a Conscious Decision 

You actively have to work towards letting go. Nobody else can do this for you. After coming to terms with what issues you may have, you have to make a decision to work on them. The day you choose to let go of your baggage is the day you start moving forward. Realise that you're hurting yourself and the ones around you, and aim to make things right. 

Forgive

Forgive yourself; forgive the ones who hurt you. This is the most difficult step, because at this point, you choose to take on the task yourself. You've probably always been blaming someone, but now forgive. It's hard, but it feels good. 

Keep Moving 

Never look back. There's a beautiful life right in front of you, so why give it up for things you cannot change? Look to your your career, family and friends. Embrace them; they're the things you should live for now. 

We all have our own baggage and sometimes it can be too much to handle alone. If you ever need someone to talk to, feel free to contact us. There's an important difference between giving up and letting go—one leaves you right where you started, the other gets you moving forward. Step by step, let’s work towards a brighter tomorrow. 


Catex Health is a large network of mental health experts who are available 24x7 for your support and will ensure confidential, dignified and empowering support for any sort of emotional distress. Click here to reach out to an expert or call +91 9911775626.